Liberman Cuts Contact With Opposition, Rejects Minority Gov't

As election results point to a deepening stalemate between the blocs, the political system is watching Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman's next move with unusual intensity. Channel 12's main evening newscast reported last night that Liberman has drawn two firm red lines and is keeping his distance from all political contact for now.

According to the report, Liberman has made clear he has no intention of joining a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, a man he once said in harsh terms should stand trial for treason, and at the same time he categorically rules out forming a government that would rely on or be supported by the Arab parties.

Sources close to Liberman say he has no intention of being "the 61st finger" or the factor that tips the balance to Netanyahu's bloc, and as far as he is concerned, it would be preferable for Gadi Eisenkot alone to make such a move.

Severing contact and not answering calls

The day after the election, the Yisrael Beiteinu chairman took an active step to completely disconnect from his bloc partners. Liberman cut off contact with Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot and is not answering phone calls from opposition party leaders.

Although the political system has been discussing a no-confidence motion or a quick move to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Liberman doesn't believe the speaker can realistically be replaced given the current makeup of the Knesset. People close to him believe a security escalation may be what ultimately breaks the political deadlock, so for now he is choosing to wait rather than make any hasty moves.