No More Elections: Lieberman Says Israel Can Form Government Without Arab Parties
Avigdor Lieberman urges the prevention of new elections, claiming a stable Israeli government can be formed without Arab-led factions.
As Israel grapples with a tense political deadlock following recent legislative elections, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman has made a bold call to action. He insists that the country must prevent another election and that a stable administration is entirely possible without the support of Arab-led factions.
Lieberman's Strategy for Stability
Taking to the social media platform X, Lieberman expressed his confidence that there is enough "room for manoeuvre" within the current political landscape to establish a functioning government. He explicitly stated that the administration could be formed without relying on Ra'am and the Joint List, provided there is "proper navigation" of the available mandates.
However, Lieberman's vision for a stable government does not include the current Prime Minister. He has ruled out joining any coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Instead, Lieberman has announced that his party will recommend Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of Yashar, to President Isaac Herzog to lead the next government. Additionally, he has thrown his support behind Opposition Leader Yair Lapid for the role of Knesset Speaker.
Netanyahu's Firm Stance
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mirrored Lieberman's refusal to work with Arab parties, though for different reasons. While Netanyahu stated he is open to a broad national government, he categorically ruled out any administration dependent on Ra'am and the Joint List.
In a post on X, Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli public rejects a government relying on these parties, accusing them of rejecting the existence of the Jewish state and supporting terrorism. Asserting a mandate from the Jewish public after his Likud party emerged as the largest, Netanyahu maintained that he has been willing from the start to form a government with "natural partners" and any party that does not support terrorism.
The Numbers Game in the Knesset
The struggle for power is reflected in the current seat distribution of the 120-member Knesset:
- Broader Opposition Bloc: 67 seats
- Incumbent Coalition: 53 seats
Despite the opposition's numerical advantage, forming a government remains a formidable challenge if they refuse to rely on Arab-led parties. Lieberman himself admitted that the broader opposition alliance fell short of expectations with 48 mandates and even criticized Gadi Eisenkot's campaign as being "egotistical," despite now backing his bid for leadership.
Alliances and Endorsements
Lieberman is not alone in his support for Eisenkot. Naftali Bennett's B'Yachad faction has similarly backed Eisenkot's bid to lead the government, signaling a concerted effort by the opposition to create an alternative to Netanyahu's leadership.
The Road Ahead
The pressure is now on President Isaac Herzog, who has urged political leaders to exhibit flexibility to avoid the cycle of repeated elections. The timeline for the next steps is tight:
- November 4: President Herzog is scheduled to receive the official election results.
- Post-Results: The President will begin consultations with representatives of the various political factions.
- November 10: The newly elected Knesset is set to be sworn in.