Avigdor Lieberman Warns Israel to Prepare for End of US Military Aid and Calls for Budget Overhaul
Avigdor Lieberman, former Israeli Finance Minister and current chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has issued a strong call for a comprehensive reset of Israel's national budget, emphasizing the urgent need to address the rising cost of living and the country's financial challenges. In a recent interview, Lieberman highlighted that interest payments alone on the national debt amount to 57 billion shekels, and insisted that the upcoming budget must be built from scratch without relying on automatic spending mechanisms. He also stressed the importance of reassessing government expenditures, including cutting unnecessary offices and ending 12 billion shekels in coalition-related funding, as well as scrutinizing financial transfers to religious councils with a view to shutting them down if necessary. Lieberman warned against introducing new taxes hastily and proposed efficiency measures such as merging the Wage Supervisor's office with the Civil Service Commission and expanding mandatory national service.
Addressing geopolitical concerns, Lieberman noted the disconnect between American and Israeli interests, particularly regarding the Iranian nuclear issue and the potential approval of Saudi Arabia's nuclear program by the US Congress, which he fears could trigger a dangerous regional arms race. He also criticized opposition figures like Yair Golan for aligning with Prime Minister Netanyahu's messaging and condemned statements by Aryeh Deri that he believes promote religious segregation and undermine the IDF, suggesting Israel is moving toward a theocratic state under the current government.
On defense matters, Lieberman criticized the current budget as unrealistic, pointing out that the IDF cannot afford adequate compensation for reservists. He warned that Israel must prepare for the cessation of US military aid, which currently amounts to $3.8 billion annually and is set to expire in 2028, as well as the end of the EU's Horizon program funding in 2027. He lamented that his proposals for establishing a missile corps and northern defense systems were shelved due to directives from Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom he accused of prioritizing personal political interests over national security. Lieberman also accused the ultra-Orthodox parties of harming the military more than external enemies.
Finally, Lieberman expressed concern over recent government actions undermining the Central Elections Committee and its chairman, warning of attempts to delegitimize the judicial system and disrupt democratic processes. He reaffirmed his commitment to replacing Netanyahu and forming a national unity government, while not ruling out a future bid for prime ministership.
