Liberman ready for coalition with Netanyahu if he cuts off haredim

Published: JUNE 10, 2023 22:27

Updated: JUNE 11, 2023 08:50

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend the special plenary session opening the winter session of the Knesset, on October 23, 2017. (photo credit: HADAS PARUSH/FLASH90) — Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend the special plenary session opening the winter session of the Knesset, on October 23, 2017.

(photo credit: HADAS PARUSH/FLASH90)

Liberman was one of the initiators of the multiple rounds of elections Israel went through from 2019-2022.

Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman stated that he would be willing to sit in a coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Netanyahu is willing to "separate from his 'natural' partners," in a tweet on Saturday night.

"It's true that I don't believe a word Netanyahu says, but there is no personal argument or personal disqualification here," wrote Liberman. "I have said countless times that the State of Israel currently needs a Zionist and liberal coalition, including the Likud movement and without the Orthodox and Messianic parties."

"If Netanyahu is ready to part with his 'natural' partners, I will work with all my might for the establishment of a Zionist and liberal coalition with a clear agenda - the establishment of a constitution and the separation of religion and state," added Liberman.

Liberman's tumultuous history with Netanyahu, haredim

Liberman was one of the initiators of the collapse of the 20th Knesset in 2018 after he left the government over disagreements concerning a law dealing with the draft of haredim to the IDF and a ceasefire reached after a round of conflict with Hamas, sparking a coalition crisis which eventually led to early elections.

Finance Minister and Israel Beytenu party chairman Avigdor Liberman speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 12, 2022 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

In the elections that came after in April 2019, Liberman refused to join a Netanyahu-led coalition, leading to a further three rounds of elections until the Bennett-Lapid government was founded in 2021.

Liberman and his party have repeatedly taken stances against the haredi parties and other right-wing parties. While in the past he spoke out against Arab politicians, he sat in a coalition with the Ra'am party from 2021 to 2022.

In recent years, Liberman has rejected sitting in a coalition with Netanyahu. Last month, Liberman stated that Netanyahu "deserves to suffer in hell every day" after the state budget was passed.