MK Avigdor Lieberman, the man who many blame for dragging the nation to repeated Knesset elections, announced “I did everything to prevent a third election.”

Many view his statement, which he made during an interview with Yediot Achronot, as a declaration that we are heading to a third Knesset Election, in 2020. He also announced his decision not to join a narrow government since dramatic decisions must be made regarding the economy and security, and he feels these decisions must be made by a national unity government. He fears if a minority government addresses these issues, it will “create a rift and polarization among the public”. A narrow government he feels will be a complete failure, calling it a government of “perpetual friction”.

He adds that he did what he could but Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and MK Benny Gantz just exchanged accusations and did not advance towards building a national unity government. Lieberman adds that when the mandate was held by PM Netanyahu, he remained silent. He feels that he applied pressure so the heads of the two largest parties would reach agreement, but he failed, calling on the public to apply pressure in the days that remain until the Knesset is dissolved and new elections announced next week.

He concluded that both party leaders made strategic decisions, not to enter into a national unity government, and both share the responsibility of sending the nation to round three of elections.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)