Lieberman explains election promise shift, backs Eisenkot for PM

Avigdor Lieberman said election results require policy changes, expressed support for Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister, and threatened to summon police and Shin Bet over alleged election fraud. Coalition talks continue with gaps over conscription and religion-state issues.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman spoke today (Tuesday) shortly before the swearing-in of the new Knesset about the gap between his party's election promises and the political reality. Liberman explained that he believed it would be possible to form a government of 61 seats that would address all of the party's flagship issues, but the election results forced a recalculation. He expressed support for forming a government headed by Gadi Eisenkot and made clear that he does not demand a rotation or the premiership in return. Liberman saw an opportunity in cooperation with the Haredim, but insisted that he would not agree to a government that relies on the support of Ra'am or the Joint List. At the same time, he threatened to summon the police commissioner and the Shin Bet chief to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for an investigation into the "ballot box terror" affair.