Avigdor Lieberman Sets Firm Conditions, Rejects Minority Government Participation

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, issued a strong statement on August 26, 2026, declaring his party will not cooperate with any minority government formation. He outlined six key prerequisites for joining any future government, responding to recent opposition negotiations and media speculation.

Lieberman’s first demand is the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, to be formed strictly according to existing law without modifications. His second and central condition concerns the military draft law, insisting on universal conscription for all Israeli citizens, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Circassians, without exemptions. Those who do not serve in the IDF must complete three years of civilian service under the Defense Ministry’s authority.

The third condition mandates compulsory core curriculum studies, including Bible and civics, in all government-funded educational institutions, with no funding for schools that do not comply. Fourth, Lieberman calls for limiting the prime minister’s tenure to two terms. Fifth, he demands appointing an expert committee to draft a constitution alongside legislation for a public referendum to approve it. Finally, he advocates adopting a new national security doctrine shifting from "land for peace" to a policy of preemptive strikes and decisive victory, including establishing a missile corps as the IDF’s main strategic force.

Lieberman’s announcement aims to clarify his party’s stance amid ongoing opposition talks ahead of expected elections, emphasizing that Yisrael Beiteinu will only join a government that fully accepts these conditions.