Liberman Accuses Eisenkot Of Seeking Government With Netanyahu

Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, accused Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party and former IDF chief of staff, of plotting to form a government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the upcoming elections. According to Liberman, Eisenkot's campaign aims to siphon votes from other parties in the opposition bloc, weakening their collective position and strengthening Yashar's standing relative to Likud. This accusation comes amid growing tensions among opposition factions vying for influence in the lead-up to the October 27 election. Liberman criticized Eisenkot for allegedly violating agreements reached by opposition leaders during their last meeting. He claimed that Eisenkot's strategy undermines unity and raises questions about the motivations behind such moves. In a message circulated to Yashar activists, the party reportedly emphasized its goal of overtaking Likud to become the largest party in the Knesset and securing the right to form a government first. Liberman further remarked that Eisenkot's lack of political experience mirrors patterns observed with previous IDF generals who transitioned into politics. He referenced figures such as Yigael Yadin, Ehud Barak, Benny Gantz, and Yitzhak Rabin, noting that military experience does not equate to political acumen. Benny Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff and defense minister, responded to Liberman's comments on social media. He asserted that Liberman had not achieved even a fraction of what he and Eisenkot had accomplished for Israel over the past three decades. Gantz also noted that Liberman had faced pressure since exposing his plans to form a minority government with Naftali Bennett and the Arab parties. Eisenkot has consistently denied allowing Abbas or Tibi’s Joint List to join his coalition, stating that he does not view them as viable partners. Despite these denials, Yashar appears to be leading in recent polls and is part of the opposition bloc aiming to replace Netanyahu. Eisenkot has publicly criticized Netanyahu for lacking strategic military objectives, asserting that as long as Netanyahu remains in power, Hamas will continue to hold influence. Liberman has set firm red lines regarding coalition formation, stating that Yisrael Beytenu would not support any minority government or join a government with Netanyahu after the election. He emphasized that any coalition must consist solely of Zionist parties, excluding Arab and haredi groups. Additionally, he ruled out any cooperation with Netanyahu’s Likud while he remains the party’s leader, though he acknowledged that Likud without Netanyahu could still be a significant partner. The opposition bloc includes four main parties: Eisenkot’s Yashar, Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad, Yair Golan’s The Democrats, and Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu. While these parties have agreed to cooperate before the election, they have yet to determine who will represent the bloc as the prime ministerial candidate. Joint List chairperson Yousef Jabareen outlined specific demands for supporting a minority government, reigniting speculation about the possibility of a minority government led by Eisenkot. However, Liberman’s stance appears to complicate this scenario, as his refusal to back any minority government could limit options for the opposition bloc. As the election approaches, the dynamics within the opposition are evolving rapidly. The potential for alliances and coalitions remains fluid, with each party navigating its position carefully amidst the unfolding political landscape.