Liberman rules out participation in minority government floated by Eisenkot

Avigdor Liberman, chair of the hawkish Yisrael Beytenu opposition party, on Monday ruled out joining a minority governing coalition, a prospect floated by Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar party is polling neck-and-neck with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud ahead of the October 27 national election. Eisenkot had suggested that if the anti-Netanyahu bloc secured 52 to 58 seats, they could form a coalition focused solely on issues with broad national consensus. However, Liberman stated on social media that Yisrael Beytenu would not partner in any minority government constellation. He reiterated this stance to Army Radio, stating, 'When it comes to 58 seats, there won’t be a minority government. I won’t be there.' With polls predicting Yisrael Beytenu will win approximately 10 seats, Eisenkot would likely struggle to form a minority government without Liberman’s participation. In his statement, Liberman also reaffirmed his party’s platform, which includes a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, a universal conscription law for all citizens, and the introduction of term limits for prime ministers.