Addressing a Tel Aviv audience, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman took many by surprise, saying “When it comes to Shleimus Haaretz or Shleimus Ha’am (the people), I opt for the latter”. I see Naftali Bennett running to the microphone but I do not see him running to the opposition. He spoke of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who he called a “True friend of Israel”, adding that does not compel Israel to accept any agreement at any price. He explains that “it is sufficient that we were suckers in the past with the Disengagement and we do not have to do it again. I don’t want an agreement full of holes like Swiss cheese”. He added that he too is willing to leave his home if this is the price one must pay for peace, telling Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that does not mean another agreement like Oslo, which is full of holes. Lieberman explains this is not “The new him” as the media writes, but simply his pragmatic outlook in regard to current realities.

Lieberman is a resident of the eastern Gush Etzion community of Nokdim (El David).

Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett is calm when it comes to machlokes over religious legislation, but when it comes to talk of giving away areas of Yehuda and Shomron chas v’sholom; he is less willing to speak of compromise and seeking a golden path.

Bennett has been quite vocal in his recent verbal assaults against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry for the dati leumi party leader is unwilling to entertain any additional land giveaways by Israel to the PA (Palestinian Authority).

Next on the Bayit Yehudi hit list is Foreign Minister (Yisrael Beitenu) Avigdor Lieberman who stated Bennett’s attack against the senior US official were out or order.

On Sunday morning 9 Adar I Bennett responded, stating “Our children’s future is more important than complimenting our friends”. Bayit Yehudi officials took it a step further, telling the media “Lieberman is afraid of Bennett. It was a political move by him amid a reality that the polls show he lost 70% of his political might so we understand him”.

“Today it is clear there is no difference between Tzipi Livni and Avigdor Lieberman…”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)