Liberman urges opposition to focus on Netanyahu government collapse, not leadership fights

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beytenu, urged Israel's opposition to prioritize toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over internal leadership squabbles. In an interview with 103FM, Liberman stated that focusing on who should be the next prime minister plays directly into Netanyahu's hands.

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I think [Eisenkot] is missing the main point, and all of us need to focus on one objective: bringing down the draft-dodgers' alliance and the October 7 massacre government.

Liberman specifically addressed remarks by Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity party, who suggested smaller opposition parties should not insist on seeking the premiership. Liberman called Eisenkot's stance missing the main point, emphasizing the singular objective of "bringing down the draft-dodgers' alliance and the October 7 massacre government." He accused Netanyahu of wanting opposition leaders to "spend all our time talking about who's first, who's second, and what coalition there will be, instead of talking about the substance."

The Yisrael Beytenu chairman also commented on potential coalition dynamics, asserting that the United Arab List (Ra'am) cannot be a coalition partner, either internally or externally, following the events of October 7. He added that his party would not require Ra'am's support, projecting a "Hungarian scenario" where Zionist parties secure an overwhelming majority on their own to form a "truly statesmanlike and Zionist government."

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All this talk about who should be prime minister? Come on, you're talking about it too, and you're saying that you also want to be, and deserve to be, prime minister.

Liberman also voiced strong criticism regarding the ongoing crisis with Iran and U.S. President Donald Trump's decisions. He described Israel as having become a "banana republic," expressing frustration that decisions regarding Iran were being announced by Trump and that others were speaking on Israel's behalf. He argued that Iran is not relenting on its nuclear program or regional ambitions and is merely buying time.

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We've become a banana republic.