While Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman feels he is the man to become the next defense minister, few Israeli voters agree according to a Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) poll.

Galei Tzahal conducted a poll after Lieberman released his statement, that he will not enter a coalition government if he is not given the defense portfolio. Only 7% of respondents agree with Lieberman.

The leading candidate is the current defense minister, Moshe Ya’alon, with 22%. Following him there is a tie between former IDF Chief of Intelligence Amos Yadlin (Labor candidate) and Naftali Bennett with each receiving 13%. They are followed by Kulanu party candidate Yoav Galant, a former IDF major-general who received 9% and then Lieberman with 7% and last is Yesh Atid MK and former ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yaakov Peri with 6%s.

In response to the poll, Lieberman stated on Monday 20 Shevat that Ya’alon has not proven himself as defense minister despite the fact he was an exemplary soldier/officer in the IDF. He added that Ya’alon is the master at slips of the tongue and apologies and stated as defense minister, “no one takes him seriously”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)