Avigdor Lieberman Rules Out Coalition With Arab Parties After October 7 Attacks

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, delivered a decisive statement that could reshape Israel's post-election political landscape. Speaking at a private event in Tzurit in the Galilee, Lieberman categorically rejected any future government cooperation with Arab parties, specifically naming the United Arab List (Ra'am). He said, "After October 7, Ra'am's Knesset members spoke like Hamas spokespersons, we will not sit with them in government."

This firm stance effectively closes the door on forming an alternative government that relies on the support of Ra'am or other Arab factions. Recent polls indicate that opposition parties to Benjamin Netanyahu cannot reach the 61-seat majority threshold without including Arab parties in their coalition calculations. Lieberman's red line complicates coalition-building efforts for opposition leaders aiming to establish a "change government."

By ruling out any partnership with Mansour Abbas's party, Lieberman signals that such a coalition scenario is no longer viable from his perspective. This development delivers a significant blow to the prospects of an anti-Netanyahu government and reshuffles the strategic calculations ahead of the elections.