Lieberman and Bennett Meet as Election Campaign Heats Up

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman and Beyachad party leader Naftali Bennett met on Wednesday to discuss the steps needed to secure victory in the election campaign. The two leaders addressed various issues on the agenda, according to statements from both camps.

The meeting comes amid a heated election season in which both parties are working to position themselves as viable alternatives to the current Netanyahu government. Liberman has recently launched the slogan "We Must Decide - Liberman," marketing his party as representing the national and statesmanlike values that once characterized Likud.

In recent weeks, Yisrael Beiteinu has bolstered its ranks with significant additions. Sharon Sharabi, brother of hostage survivor Eli Sharabi and of Yossi Sharabi, who was murdered in captivity, joined the party, explaining: "I grew up on Likud values, the Likud of the past, national, statesmanlike, and security-oriented. Today, 'the Likud of the past' is Yisrael Beiteinu." Additionally, Metula Council head David Azoulay joined the party, stating that "only Lieberman will be able to handle security and the protection racket phenomenon."

Bennett is also strengthening his list with figures who bring practical experience. In recent weeks, Beyachad has added MK Eitan Ginzburg, who left Blue and White, Mati Gil, CEO of AION Labs, and Nisan Zaavi from Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, a leader in the campaign to restore the northern confrontation line. The Beyachad party was first to submit its list for the 26th Knesset, choosing the letter "Bet" and forgoing the letters associated with Yair Lapid's party.

Naftali Bennett (Photo: Sraya Diamant/Flash90)

At his party's campaign conference, Liberman emphasized: "I am not willing to accept any wink in the direction of Netanyahu and the haredi parties." He added, "Anyone who talks about exempting 30% or 4,500 yeshiva students is wrong and misleading. The moment you agreed to a certain exemption, everything that was is what will be."