Avigdor Lieberman Outlines Strategy to Oust Netanyahu and Unite Opposition

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, published a comprehensive strategic document aimed at defeating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in the upcoming elections. Titled "Winning Bloc Strategy," the plan focuses on securing victory for the "Serving Bloc," a coalition of parties committed to national service, over the "Non-Serving Bloc." Lieberman emphasizes the importance of increasing voter turnout, preventing vote splitting, and avoiding internal competition among opposition parties.

Lieberman identifies five key principles for success. First, raising voter turnout from the last election's 71% to 76%, particularly among working and serving populations in areas like Gush Dan and Sharon, to replace Netanyahu's government with a Zionist administration. Second, preventing vote dispersion by urging voters to support only one of the four main opposition parties, warning that smaller parties risk losing seats and weakening the bloc. Third, focusing on shared goals such as a state inquiry committee, equal burden sharing, core education, personal security, term limits for the prime minister, and constitutional establishment, while avoiding divisive issues like a Palestinian state or settlement evacuations.

The fourth principle calls for unity within the bloc, forbidding political cannibalism and internal rivalries, and opposing premature declarations of a single prime ministerial candidate, which Lieberman views as a strategic error. He notes that supporters of different opposition leaders want their preferred candidate to lead, and that endorsements across factions could cost mandates. Finally, Lieberman promises to present a mutually acceptable formula for the opposition's prime minister candidate shortly after a decisive victory.

The document concludes with a call for firm commitment to these principles to secure a clear win. Lieberman is currently in ongoing disputes with some opposition parties, notably clashing with the Democrats' Yair Golan over ministerial appointments in any future government.