Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman has broken off communication with his opposition counterparts following an election cycle that left his party with seven seats, falling short of pre-election projections of up to nine. According to Channel 12 News, Liberman stopped answering phone calls from former prime minister and B’Yachad leader Naftali Bennett and Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot the day after the election.
While anti-Netanyahu parties explored options such as replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana without forming a new government, Liberman has maintained that such a move is not viable under the current political makeup, as reported by The Times of Israel. Liberman’s overarching strategy relied on Likud fracturing from within, a gamble that failed when Likud retained its position as the largest faction in the Knesset.
Pushing for Eisenkot to Join Netanyahu
Rather than crossing over to the governing bloc himself, Liberman has reportedly chosen to wait for political developments while positioning Gadi Eisenkot to make the move. According to Channel 12 News, Liberman prefers that Eisenkot join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a unity government on his own volition. Maariv reported that Netanyahu is actively considering forming such a unity government with Eisenkot, citing sources close to the prime minister.
Liberman’s stance is reinforced by his refusal to compromise on two long-standing conditions: he will not join a government led by Netanyahu, nor will he participate in establishing a minority government dependent on the support of Arab parties. Middle East Eye reported that Palestinian-led parties had offered to support an opposition-led minority government to block Netanyahu, but key opposition figures rejected the arrangement.
Liberman Urges Criminal Probe Against Netanyahu Amid Coalition Stalemate
Liberman has a history of stepping back during critical coalition phases. Following the 2009 election, when his party won 15 seats, he took a week-long vacation before eventually joining Netanyahu’s government as foreign minister and deputy prime minister, according to The Times of Israel. After the April 2019 election, he traveled to Vienna during inconclusive coalition talks.
Amid the current stalemate, Liberman has also urged Attorney-General Gali Baharv-Miara to open a criminal probe into Netanyahu, alleging that the prime minister attempted to draw the IDF into a military confrontation to delay the election, according to N12 News. Sources close to Liberman told Channel 12 that he is choosing to “lie in wait” for a potential security escalation that could force a realignment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Israeli Coalition Talks
Why did Avigdor Liberman cut contact with Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot?
Liberman severed communication after disagreeing on opposition strategy following an election that yielded seven seats for Yisrael Beytenu. Channel 12 reported that he stopped answering phone calls from his opposition counterparts the day after the vote.
What are Avigdor Liberman’s conditions for joining a government?
Liberman has set two clear conditions: he refuses to join a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and will not participate in any administration dependent on the support of Arab parties.
How many seats did Yisrael Beytenu win in the election?
Current tallies show Yisrael Beytenu securing seven seats, falling short of pre-election polls that projected up to nine seats for the party.