Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman reiterated his refusal to support MK Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister on Friday, according to The Zioneer. Liberman said backing Eisenkot would be 'a small gain for Eisenkot, a big loss for the entire bloc,' and dismissed the opposition's internal demand that the largest party leader automatically become premier as 'a serious mistake.'
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman on Friday reaffirmed his refusal to back MK Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister, according to The Zioneer. "It would be a small gain for Eisenkot but a big loss for the entire bloc," Liberman said. He also called the opposition's push to install the leader of the largest party as prime minister "a serious mistake."
Liberman's position has been a steady source of friction within the opposition bloc, which includes Eisenkot's Israel Resilience party, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Naftali Bennett's New Right. The Zioneer has previously reported: on August 10, Liberman denied coordinating with Bennett on the PM demand; on July 30, Eisenkot's camp voiced concern over Liberman's and Bennett's refusal to commit to supporting the largest party leader; and on July 27, Eisenkot criticized bloc members seeking the premiership with only 8-10 seats.
With elections approaching, Liberman's refusal complicates the opposition's effort to present a cohesive alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. No agreement on the bloc's candidate for premier has been reached.
- DevelopingLiberman denies coordinating with Bennett on PM demand, blames Eisenkot camp for leaks
- DevelopingAnalysis: Eisenkot camp concerned over Lieberman, Bennett refusal to commit to largest party leader
- StrongNetanyahu vows to prevent left-wing government of Eisenkot, Liberman, Abbas
- DevelopingLikud tells ministers: We will not sit under center-left figures like Eisenkot
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