Avigdor Lieberman Urges Likud Revolt Against Netanyahu After Exit Polls
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman urged Likud members to revolt against Benjamin Netanyahu, citing exit polls that show his party securing seven to eight seats while awaiting final results.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beytenu, called on Likud members to revolt against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a post-election address at his party headquarters. Lieberman criticized Netanyahu's conduct on election day, accusing him of crossing all red lines, and urged Likud lawmakers and central committee members to publicly demand his removal to allow the formation of a Zionist coalition.
Addressing supporters after exit polls indicated Yisrael Beytenu secured between seven and eight seats, Lieberman remained cautious about the final results. He emphasized that approximately 15 mandates depend on double envelopes, which typically shift the balance, and suggested that definitive outcomes will not emerge until Friday morning. While exit polls showed a slight edge for the change bloc over Netanyahu's coalition, Lieberman refrained from committing to immediate coalition steps or ruling out specific parliamentary alignments.
Reflecting on the campaign, Lieberman described the race as exceptionally difficult for a liberal-right party operating under challenging conditions. He also launched a sharp critique against an Israeli news portal and Netanyahu's supporters, accusing them of incitement, and vowed to establish a government committed to traditional Zionist values. Having led Yisrael Beytenu since 1999, Lieberman presented a renewed electoral list featuring figures such as former Beit Shean mayor Rafi Ben Sheetrit, whose son fell on October 7.
