Avigdor Liberman cuts contact with Gadi Eisenkot, pushes for unity deal with Benjamin Netanyahu

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, has reportedly severed ties with the opposition bloc, according to a Wednesday report by N12 News. The move comes after the Israeli general election on October 27, 2026. Liberman has not answered any phone calls from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot since Wednesday, the day following the election.

Liberman’s party, Yisrael Beytenu, is projected to enter the Knesset with seven seats, falling short of pre-election polls that had anticipated up to nine seats. His campaign, which aimed to position him as a potential prime minister, did not achieve the desired outcome. Bennett’s B’Yachad party absorbed some of Liberman’s mandates, further reducing his influence.

Liberman has remained steadfast in his refusal to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. His stance has been reinforced by a recent call to Attorney-General Gali Baharv-Miara to initiate a criminal investigation into Netanyahu. The inquiry centers on allegations that Netanyahu attempted to involve the IDF in a military confrontation to delay the election.

Liberman’s strategy relied on the assumption that Likud would fracture internally, allowing him to capitalize on the resulting instability. However, official election results show Likud maintaining its position as the largest faction in the Knesset. This outcome has left Liberman without the leverage he sought.

According to N12, Liberman does not intend to be the one to cross over to Netanyahu’s bloc. Instead, he allegedly prefers that Eisenkot make the move alone. Maariv reported that Netanyahu is considering forming a unity government with Eisenkot, based on sources close to the prime minister.

N12 sources suggest Liberman is “choosing to lie in wait,” anticipating that a security escalation could create new opportunities for political realignment. His approach reflects a calculated strategy to position himself advantageously in the evolving political landscape.

Source: Read the original report