“I Asked Golan: Is Bibi Paying Your Salary?”: Lieberman in a Candid Interview

One of the most intriguing questions on the road to the elections is who will be the opposition candidate for Prime Minister. While Gadi Eisenkot leads in mandates, Naftali Bennett has not yet said his last word, and for Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, political size is not the deciding factor.

Lieberman gives a characteristically direct take: "I am definitely suitable for the position. In terms of experience and execution, I have a clear advantage. However, out of a sense of responsibility, I am postponing this until the day after the elections, when a clear victory is achieved. What matters most, even before the premiership, is that Netanyahu is replaced. He has done enough damage."

In recent weeks, Lieberman's party has seen an influx of high-profile figures, including Midan Bar, chairman of the Israeli Pilots Association, and Dvir Kariv, a former senior Shin Bet official.

Uniting the Ranks

Unlike his opposition peers, Lieberman is working behind the scenes to ensure a unified approach, avoiding the traps set by the "poison machine."

"Listen to a story," he says. "Some politicians don't understand where they live. Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, is acting as an integral part of Netanyahu's propaganda headquarters. Netanyahu wants to run away from the October 7 massacre and the war of attrition, but Golan raises controversial issues regarding settlements."

He recounts: "I approached Golan and asked: 'Is Bibi paying your salary? Focus only on consensus issues. Stop talking about controversial topics like settlements or a Palestinian state. Bibi wants us to run away from the main issues. We must talk about security failures, the economy, and internal security. To win, all opposition leaders must focus on points of agreement and establishing a Zionist government."

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Economic Agenda

On rehabilitating the economy, Lieberman is firm: "The next budget must be started from scratch, not on 'autopilot.' The current reality requires a total re-examination. We rely on high-tech, but that requires dynamism. You cannot be a global pariah and expect to develop high-tech in Israel. We must 'restart' the country, especially regarding the cost of living."

He proposes specific cuts: "We need to close unnecessary ministries and cut coalition funds, which reached a record 12 billion shekels. We must increase the workforce by implementing a service law for all. Today, the Haredi sector is subsidized by 27 billion shekels, while economic damage from crime exceeds 20 billion. We will fix all this."

Security and the Haredi World

Lieberman is deeply critical of the current Haredi establishment: "Deri is applying the Bnei Brak model. Soldiers in uniform cannot enter, and gender segregation is being enforced. The Likud party has become a contractor for Shas and United Torah Judaism. They have no policy other than maintaining power."

Regarding security, he argues for a shift: "Today, we have the world's best Air Force, but we are 100% dependent on American planes, intelligence, and satellites. A missile corps is entirely 'blue and white,' and every missile is capable of hitting anywhere in Tehran. Canceling my missile corps program was a mistake."

Finally, Lieberman addressed the possibility of a plea deal for Netanyahu: "I have said this for seven years. If he admits his actions, asks for a pardon, and retires from politics, I support it. I am not looking for personal revenge. If he reaches a deal acceptable to the prosecution, that would be fine."