Liberman's Advice to Shaked on Political Comeback Plans

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, revealed Wednesday that he has held multiple conversations in recent months with Ayelet Shaked, Israel's former justice and interior minister, regarding her political future. Speaking with Israeli media, Liberman said he counseled Shaked against rushing back into the political arena. Instead, he recommended she continue her current work in the business sector for the time being. Liberman also indicated that Shaked herself has not yet decided which political framework she would join if and when she chooses to return to politics.

Liberman's comments shed new light on months of speculation about Shaked potentially joining Yisrael Beiteinu. Reports emerged in April suggesting she was in talks with Liberman about a spot on his party's electoral list. By late June, additional reports indicated informal discussions between the two about a possible joint run in future elections.

Around the same time, Shaked met with activists associated with her from the Religious Zionist camp, some of whom urged her to join Yisrael Beiteinu and bring a national-religious contingent with her. Shaked herself said at the time that she would make a decision about her political future within weeks. However, days later, reports surfaced that Yisrael Beiteinu had decided not to include former Yamina members, including Shaked and Abir Kara, on its Knesset list, despite Shaked's good relationship with Liberman.

The Yisrael Beiteinu chairman's current remarks provide additional context to those behind-the-scenes discussions. Rather than portraying the conversations as an attempt to recruit Shaked, Liberman describes himself as advising her to remain outside politics for now.

The relationship between the two has seen dramatic shifts before. In 2019, Liberman reportedly offered Shaked the second spot on the Yisrael Beiteinu list, along with the possibility of a ministerial position from the party's quota. At that time, it was Shaked who declined the offer, choosing instead to remain within the Religious Zionist camp.