Lieberman Urges Stable Coalition and Rejects Minority Government
Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman warned against forming a minority government relying on Arab parties, urging a stable 61-seat coalition while offering unconditional support to Gadi Eisenkot.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, stated on Friday that the recent election results require a comprehensive reassessment of the political landscape in Israel. In a series of posts on X, Lieberman emphasized that political actors must think several moves ahead, drawing parallels to a game of chess, and warned against the pitfalls of forming a minority government.
Strategic Warnings and Coalition Red Lines
Lieberman recalled his past warnings, including his 2016 prediction regarding threats from Gaza and his assessment during the recent election campaign. He stressed that his current red lines remain absolute: bringing an end to the Netanyahu era, avoiding a new round of elections, and refusing to rely on the abstention of Arab parties such as the Joint List or Ra'am.
"We must make a maximum effort to establish a 61-seat coalition without the Joint List and Ra'am," Lieberman declared, adding that compromise on issues such as the conscription law is necessary for the national interest.
The Dilemma for Shas and Aryeh Deri
Political analysts note that the burden of coalition formation now shifts toward Gadi Eisenkot and potential negotiations with ultra-Orthodox factions like United Torah Judaism and Shas. Should UTJ soften its stance on the conscription bill, Aryeh Deri and Shas leadership will face a critical decision regarding whether to join a center-left coalition, reminiscent of historical precedents from 1992.
Lieberman reiterated that he is not demanding a rotation agreement in exchange for supporting Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister, offering unconditional backing to facilitate a stable government and break the ongoing political deadlock.
