Full coverage· Politics· Updated 13:28

Liberman Reverses Stance on Ultra-Orthodox Draft to Form Government

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman announced on Friday that he is willing to make painful compromises on ultra-Orthodox conscription to form a government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on X, Liberman urged the anti-Netanyahu bloc to reassess its strategy following the recent Knesset elections, warning that a failed coalition could allow Netanyahu to return with a stronger mandate of 70 seats.

3 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 11:24

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What happened

01Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman announced on Friday his willingness to compromise on ultra-Orthodox conscription to form a government without Benjamin Netanyahu.
02Liberman set three red lines: ending Netanyahu's political era, avoiding new elections, and rejecting minority governments dependent on Ra'am or the Joint List.
03The policy shift marks a reversal of Liberman's eight-year opposition to military exemptions for yeshiva students.
04Liberman warned that a failed coalition could allow Netanyahu to return to power with a stronger mandate of 70 Knesset seats.
05United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher welcomed the flexibility but lamented past incitement and hatred over the conscription issue.
06Liberman denied that any discussions have taken place regarding a rotation in the prime minister's office.

Liberman outlined three non-negotiable red lines: ending Netanyahu's political era, avoiding new elections, and rejecting any minority government dependent on the abstention of Ra'am or the Joint List. He denied any discussions regarding a prime ministerial rotation but emphasized that flexibility on other issues, including the conscription law, is necessary to serve Israel's national interest.

This announcement marks a dramatic reversal of Liberman's eight-year stance, during which he consistently opposed military exemptions for yeshiva students and vowed never to join a government with ultra-Orthodox parties. United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher welcomed the political flexibility but expressed bitterness over past incitement and fratricidal hatred directed at the ultra-Orthodox public during years of political battles over military service.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 18:26

Latest report: Ynetnews. Read Ynetnews’s original