Liberman urges opposition to focus on Netanyahu government collapse rather than leadership fights

MK Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, urged the opposition to focus on toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government rather than internal leadership disputes. He criticized Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot for missing the main point, saying all should focus on bringing down the 'draft-dodgers' alliance and the October 7 massacre government.' Liberman also rejected Ra'am as a coalition partner, predicted a landslide victory for Zionist parties, and criticized US President Trump's decision to cancel a strike on Iran, saying Israel has become a 'banana republic.'

MK Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, said in an interview with 103FM on Sunday that Israel's opposition should remain focused on toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government rather than arguing over who should be the next leader. His comments came after Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot stated that leaders of smaller parties in the opposition bloc should not insist on seeking the premiership. Liberman said Eisenkot is missing the main point, and all need to focus on one objective: bringing down the 'draft-dodgers' alliance and the October 7 massacre government. He claimed Eisenkot was falling into Netanyahu's trap, wanting opposition leaders to spend time talking about who's first, who's second, and what coalition there will be, instead of substance. Liberman argued that focusing on such issues turns opposition parties into campaigners for Likud, and noted he has not been able to align with the party since it became 'a light ultra-Orthodox party.' Asked whether Ra'am could become part of the opposition bloc, Liberman said no, and that after October 7, Ra'am cannot be a partner in the coalition, not from within and not from outside. He added that his party would not need Abbas's support, predicting a landslide victory for Zionist parties and a 'Hungarian scenario.' Liberman also addressed the crisis with Iran and Trump's decision to cancel a planned strike, saying the Iranians are buying time and that Israel has become a 'banana republic.'