Liberman goes on the offensive – and Likud stings him with two words

Avigdor Liberman calls to outlaw Balad following the High Court's ruling, claiming its representatives constitute representation of a terrorist organization in the Knesset. Likud responds with a photo of Liberman with Ayman Odeh and a two-word jab: "Yeah, right," reminding Liberman of his past willingness to recruit MKs from the Joint List.

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, launched a public offensive calling to outlaw the Balad party following the High Court's unanimous ruling approving the Joint List's candidacy for the 26th Knesset. Liberman argued that as long as Sami Abu Shahadeh heads Balad and its representatives sit in the Knesset, this constitutes "representation of a terrorist organization in the Knesset of Israel." Likud did not stay silent and responded with a short jab: alongside a photo of Liberman with Hadash chairman Ayman Odeh, they wrote "Yeah, right" – a reminder of Liberman's political past when, in 2021 as finance minister in the Bennett-Lapid government, he declared he would recruit MKs from the Joint List "without shame" to pass the state budget. The background to the clash is the High Court's decision that overturned the Central Elections Committee's ruling. The judges described Abu Shahadeh's statements as "disgusting" and hinted at his removal, leading him to withdraw his candidacy. Now, with the Joint List approved but Abu Shahadeh remaining outside the Knesset as the party's external leader, the political system is heading toward a collision course over the legitimacy of the list's representatives.