Yisrael Beitenu party leader MK Avigdor Lieberman has stated he received constant offers to enter the coalition government but his party is remaining in the opposition. In fact, it appears that Lieberman is already beginning to prepare for the next Knesset elections.

This past weekend Lieberman held a kenos in a Dead Sea hotel, attended by 90 party activists including mayors and deputy mayors, Ynet reports.

Lieberman addressed the major Israel Police investigation involving alleged high-level government corruption which reportedly involves a significant number of people affiliated with Yisrael Beitenu. He explained that since the investigation became public, the party has been busy in three areas primarily; first being survival and this was successful as the party earned six seats in Knesset despite the polls showing Yisrael Beitenu might not pass the minimum threshold to enter Knesset. The second effort has been to rebuild the party and this is still ongoing – pointing out polls today show if there were elections, the party would earn three additional seats. He stressed he is setting a goal in double digits for the next elections.

The final effort he explained is the party must grow by enlisting new members and this he explains, stating this will begin after the Tishrei Yomim Tovim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)