Criticism in the Change Bloc over Liberman's statement: "Not coordinated with us"

Senior members of the Change Bloc criticized Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman after he declared he would not support a minority government. The bloc claims the statement was not coordinated with them and harms their efforts. They believe Liberman is acting to raise his price after the elections, aiming to demand the premiership in exchange for breaking his promise.

Senior members of the Change Bloc criticized Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman this evening (Thursday) after he declared he would not support a minority government. The bloc claims the statement was not coordinated with them and harms their efforts. They believe Liberman is acting to raise his price after the elections, aiming to demand the premiership in exchange for breaking his promise. Liberman announced today that he would not support a minority government, thereby closing the door on Gadi Eisenkot's plan if the Change Bloc does not secure 61 seats. In a post on X, he clarified he would form a coalition "composed solely of Zionist parties - without Ra'am, without the Joint List, without Shas, and without United Torah Judaism." He added that "Likud without Netanyahu can be a significant partner." The bloc believes Liberman's statement is intended to raise his price after the elections. According to senior members, Liberman intends to seek the premiership in exchange for breaking his promise. Liberman sees a gap of right-wing voters who do not want to cast their vote only to find Ra'am and the Joint List in a position of influence. Yisrael Beiteinu's chairman goes all the way and declares his party will vote against such a government. Liberman understands it is unrealistic to tell the public that the Change Bloc will have more than 61 seats given the polls and shifts to a different strategy that may attract voters from the other bloc.