Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman reiterated Monday evening that Israel's security situation is worse than on the eve of the October 7, 2023 massacre, according to reports. In the same report, journalist Yotam Zimri recalled that Liberman, while in government shortly before the attack, declined the defense minister position, saying he understood he could not make a difference.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman reiterated Monday evening that Israel's security situation is worse than on the eve of the October 7, 2023 massacre, according to a Channel 14 report. The same report included journalist Yotam Zimri's note that Liberman, while serving in the government shortly before the attack, declined the defense minister position, saying he understood he could not make a difference.
The Zioneer first reported Liberman's assertion at 14:11 Jerusalem (Monday). That initial account noted the statement contradicted assessments by other officials who argue the security situation has improved. The current update, at 21:26 Jerusalem, adds the journalist's recollection of Liberman's past refusal, which has not been independently confirmed beyond the Channel 14 report.
The debate over responsibility for the October 7 failures has been a recurring theme in Israeli politics. As The Zioneer has reported, the Knesset has advanced bills for a political commission of inquiry, with opposition leaders criticizing the proposed structure. Commentators such as Kelman Libskind have argued that Israel's security position has improved since the attack, contrasting with Liberman's assessment.
Liberman's claim remains a contested opinion, and the journalist's recollection of him declining the defense post has not been corroborated by other sources. Liberman has not publicly commented on the specific timing or reasons for his reported refusal.
2 developments
- DevelopingLiberman willing to sit with Likud without Netanyahu, warns of security crisis
- DevelopingMiri Regev: Israel in a better reality than on October 6, 2023
- DevelopingLiberman says he is unsure Netanyahu will run, citing potential fear of defeat
- DevelopingKelman Libskind: Israel's security situation far better than on October 6, 2023
Source and signal
- Internal intake