Chairman of the Yisrael Beitenu party MK Avigdor Lieberman was interviewed on motzei Shabbos on Israel Television’s Meet the Press program, telling host Rina Matzliach that “Likud and Blue & White can solve the problem by putting ego aside and the fact that they are not doing so, is troublesome”.

According to Lieberman, there are currently three bad options and one excellent one regarding efforts to form a coalition government. The first is a narrow government headed by Netanyahu, then a narrow government headed by Gantz and then new elections. The excellent option according to Lieberman is the formation of a broad national unity coalition government including Likud and Blue & White – the two largest parties.

Lieberman referred to a recent briefing by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Aviv Kochavi and insists that in order to make the “difficult decisions that must be made based on the message by the chief of staff, a broad consensus is required. Regarding my personal interests, in a narrow government I could received a great deal (חצי מכות). I have no guarantees from Blue & White and I have not made any to the party”.

Regarding issues of religion and state, Lieberman feels it would likely be easier for him to agree with the Blue & White position and regarding security matters, he remains uncertain as to which party is preferred. “We put a formula on the table and now we must establish the guidelines. We must pass a budget, and it is very important that the two large parties form a government”.

Lieberman then referred to the planned legislation proposed by Blue & White, to pass a law prohibiting a prime minister to continue serving if he faces criminal indictment, and if indicted, he must resign. Lieberman stated he would not support such a bill.

Senior TV News12 political correspondent Amit Segal tweeted that during the interview with Matzliach, Lieberman would not rule out being a part of a right-wing/chareidi coalition as a last option.

אגב, בראיון לרינה מצליח לראשונה ליברמן לא מוכן לפסול ישיבה בממשלת ימין חרדים כמוצא אחרון מבחירות.

— עמית סגל Amit Segal (@amit_segal) October 26, 2019

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)