Liberman signals openness to haredi coalition partnership

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman issued a statement today (Tuesday) that may signal another shift in his position toward the chareidi parties.

"We must prevent another election," Liberman declared. "In the current political situation there is enough room to maneuver, and with the right navigation we can quickly establish a functioning and stable government without Ra'am and the Joint List."

He conspicuously avoided any mention of the chareidi factions.

His words carry added weight in light of his position yesterday, when he firmly rejected the possibility of a minority government or one relying on support from the Arab parties.

Political observers assess that given the current mathematical and political reality, ruling out the Arab option on one hand while seeking to establish a stable government on the other leaves the change bloc with only one major option: a government that includes the chareidi parties.

He revealed that since the election results he has met with figures from both political camps. "Since the election I've met with everyone who's anyone, both in the opposition and in the coalition," he said. He also addressed the state of Netanyahu's bloc: "Deri isn't answering Bibi's calls, and United Torah Judaism are saying openly that they're no longer committed to the bloc."

On the Knesset speaker position, he announced he would support Lapid for the role, contrary to Eisenkot's position seeking to install a speaker from his own party. The Yashar! party opposed the move, arguing that the appointment could torpedo the possibility of forming a unity government with Likud. According to them, the move was not coordinated with Beyachad chairman Naftali Bennett and did not receive his approval.

The first meeting of change-bloc leaders since the election is taking place today at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya. The gathering will include Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, Yair Golan and Yair Lapid, and will focus on coordinating the bloc's moves.