[67229] The election storm and political tension: Liberman aims for the premiership

The political system is in upheaval: Liberman marks the premiership as his target

The political system is buzzing ahead of the possibility of elections, as Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman, MK Avigdor Liberman, declared in an interview with Army Radio (Amit Segal, Yanir Cozin and Yaron Avraham) that he aspires to hold the position of Prime Minister. Liberman emphasized that "we saw in the change government that the Prime Minister is not always the chairman of the largest party," and clarified that he does not rule out complex political maneuvers. Regarding the possibility of a merger with MK Gadi Eisenkot, Liberman noted that "fundamental gaps" remain on the issue of the draft law (Political Arena). Liberman further added that the Joint List parties will not be partners in any government and that "their place is in the parliament in Ramallah" (Online News).

Within the coalition, the situation is no less complex. According to reports by Daphna Liel (Political Arena), the Haredi parties are demanding to advance an opposition bill to dissolve the Knesset for fear that Netanyahu will pull the coalition's proposal at the last minute. Simultaneously, MK Naama Lazimi of the Democrats claims that Netanyahu is humiliating his list and is interested in making many reserved spots due to a lack of trust in his own party (Political Arena).

In the security sector, the Arab desk of Kan 11 reports on the Navy's seizure of one of the Gaza flotilla ships, an event accompanied by Palestinian documentation being circulated on social networks. At the same time, media outlets in Syria report an explosion in Damascus and sounds of gunfire heard in the city, with local authorities investigating the circumstances of the event (Political Arena).

In the Degel HaTorah party, there is visible "anxiety and panic" surrounding scenarios for replacing the list's representatives, according to Avraham Freynd (Political Arena). Simultaneously, criticism from the right continues against Attorney General Baharav-Miara, with Minister Ben Gvir calling on the Likud to "cross the fear barrier" and carry out an immediate judicial reform, while other MKs are calling to examine whether her actions constitute a breach of trust (Political Arena).