Lieberman: 'I expect the bloc to unite all lists. A merger with Eisenkot? No possibility'
At the 'Time for Decision: Democracy and Society' conference held by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth in collaboration with the Israel Democracy Institute, Avigdor Lieberman called on opposition parties to unite to prevent wasted votes. He ruled out any merger with Gadi Eisenkot, citing his vague stance on sitting with Benjamin Netanyahu as unacceptable.
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman participated this morning in the 'Time for Decision: Democracy and Society' conference, hosted by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth in collaboration with the Israel Democracy Institute. Two months before the elections, Lieberman addressed how the 'change bloc' can ensure votes are not 'thrown in the trash':
'I expect all my colleagues in the opposition to make an effort to either absorb or unite all the lists.'
Lieberman clarified that there is no chance of a merger between his party and 'Yashar!' chairman Gadi Eisenkot. He argued that smaller factions, such as those led by Gilad Erdan, Chili Tropper, or Benny Gantz, risk failing to pass the electoral threshold, potentially costing the bloc 3–4 mandates.
Regarding the potential union with Eisenkot, he stated:
'There is no possibility because there is a significant gap. Unlike others, I speak clearly. This position, Gadi's very vague phrasing, is unacceptable to me when they say: "Do you rule out sitting with Netanyahu?", "No, I don't rule it out".'
Lieberman added that he intends to try to 'get Eisenkot down from the tree of sitting with Netanyahu and exempting 4,500 ultra-Orthodox from conscription.'
When asked if it is politically wise to rule out Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox in advance, he replied:
'There is a principle here. We had the biggest massacre since the Holocaust. And no one is responsible. These people who were there and did not take responsibility, and refused to establish a state commission of inquiry and are spreading all kinds of slogans and fabrications about a conspiracy, simply must not be partners in the next government. In politics, you need to be flexible, but not after such a massacre. Someone here must be held accountable.'
Lieberman also addressed the defamation warning letter sent by 'The Democrats' party chairman Yair Golan to the Prime Minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, regarding her conspiracy theories about Golan's actions on October 7. Lieberman encouraged Golan:
'Well done Yair, don't give up. You must not surrender to the poison machine and the psychopaths who work in its service.'
When asked if he believes this is part of a planned Likud campaign, he replied: 'Clearly and unequivocally.'
