Liberman sets coalition conditions, backs flexible haredi draft law
Avigdor Liberman said his party would join a coalition if a satisfactory haredi conscription law is passed, while rejecting a prime-minister rotation and setting red lines that include ending Benjamin Netanyahu’s term.
Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman announced on X that his party would consider joining a coalition led by Yesh at leader Gadi Eisenkot if a new haredi (ultra-Orthodox) military draft law is adopted. He said he is willing to be flexible on the draft issue and added that he does not intend to enter a rotational prime-ministership, describing the rotation mechanism as harmful to state management.
Liberman listed three “red lines” for any government: ending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s premiership, avoiding additional elections, and not relying on The Joint List or Ra’am abstentions to pass legislation.
United Torah Judaism chairman Yakov Asher welcomed the flexibility, stating, "It is heartening to see the flexibility displayed by all political players regarding the issue of military conscription."
A UTJ source told Walla that the party has been discussing the draft law since the elections and would join a coalition that provides a satisfactory conscription framework. The source added, "If they provide a [satisfactory] conscription law, we'll go with them for sure."
Reservists party leader Yoaz Hendel criticized Liberman’s stance, saying, "If you're ready to promote mass draft-dodging for the sake of power, then what makes you any different from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?"
MK Dan Illouz left the Yisrael Beiteinu list, writing on X, "You can't give up on the draft law."
Liberman also expressed support for appointing Yair Lapid as Knesset speaker, noting that reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate.