Avigdor Lieberman Reveals Personal Rift Behind Break With Aryeh Deri

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has publicly addressed the deep personal rift that developed between him and Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, after many years of close friendship. In an exclusive interview with Kikar HaShabbat, Lieberman emphasized that the split is not due to political disagreements but stems from a profound personal betrayal. He stated, "When you are friends, you expect loyalty and not to be sold out for trivial gains," highlighting that their friendship was based on trust beyond politics.

Lieberman explained that the break occurred because of a personal issue that damaged the core value of their friendship, making it difficult to continue their relationship. He said, "When I have no expectations from someone, I have no problem with them," underscoring that the conflict is rooted in personal matters rather than political ones. The longtime friendship, spanning decades, was severed due to this personal breach, which Lieberman described as unrelated to political disputes.

This revelation sheds light on the interpersonal dynamics behind the political alliance and subsequent fallout between two prominent Israeli political figures. Lieberman’s comments mark the first time he has openly discussed the reasons behind the estrangement, clarifying that it is a personal issue rather than a political one.