Liberman: We won't be held hostage by coalition

FM complains about handling of Hebron, Migron, but tells Israel Beiteinu faction "we don't want elections now for 1000 reasons."

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Liberman BS 311 (photo credit: Benjamin Spier)
Liberman BS 311
(photo credit: Benjamin Spier)
Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman warned Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in a speech to his supporters in Jerusalem that his party would reserve the freedom to act independently despite its partnership in the government.
Speaking at a pre-Passover toast attended by hundreds of Israel Beiteinu activists, Liberman complained about the handling of Hebron, Migron, criteria for housing benefits and conscription to the IDF.
He said Israel Beiteinu would promote its own initiatives and legislation on such controversial issues.
“We don’t want elections now for 1,000 reasons, but if someone thinks we are hostages because of coalition agreements, and because of my legal procedures, they are mistaken,” Liberman said.
“We expect decisive decisions to be made and not further stalling.”
Liberman complained about unilateral steps taken by other coalition partners like Shas and Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s Independence Party.”
“The dissonance between Migron and Hebron is disturbing,” he said. “Migron is being told to evacuate because of the right of purchase but in Hebron the settlers are being told to leave despite the right of purchase.
In light of what happened in Migron, what is happening in Hebron is difficult to digest. It is a terrible mistake for the coalition.”
Noting complaints by Liberman and other political allies, Netanyahu said in an interview with Ma’ariv that even though he won’t advance elections, he is not sure his coalition partners will not take steps to overthrow him and cause elections sooner than he would want.
Liberman praised the decision of the International Criminal Court in the Hague that it does not have the authority to deal with a complaint by the Palestinians against Israel on Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip.
He said the Palestinians were doing everything possible to blacken Israel’s name around the world.
“When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is called a man of peace, it’s like calling black white and white black,” he said. “He will never reach an agreement with Israel. He will continue to condemn, attack, extort Israel’s money and stay in power as long as possible. We need a new approach.”