Liberman sends guidelines to opposition heads for post-Netanyahu gov't, excluding Gantz

Liberman’s proposal focuses on a set of shared principles regarding the conscription of haredim (ultra-Orthodox) into the IDF, amid the government’s advancement of a controversial haredi conscription bill. Critics of the current draft bill, led by MK Boaz Bismuth (Likud), argue that it fails to enforce haredi conscription.

The IDF has warned of a severe manpower shortage and has urgently called for additional combat recruits after more than two years of war.

Liberman’s letter lays out five main principles. First, it calls for mandatory conscription at age 18 for all Israeli citizens, including Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Circassians.

Second, it states that only the IDF will have the authority to determine whether an individual is assigned to military or civilian service, based on the army’s needs and the candidate’s abilities. Third, it specifies that civilian service will be operated and administered by the Defense Ministry, rather than by external NGOs or other government ministries.

Fourth, the framework proposes that failure to comply with enlistment obligations would result in the revocation of benefits and budgets, as well as the imposition of both personal and institutional sanctions. Lastly, Liberman calls for Israel to adopt a “clear and unequivocal principle” that there be 100% eligibility for benefits for those who serve and zero benefits for draft evaders.

The letter comes after Eisenkot proposed forming a united list last week with Bennett and Lapid that aims to gain enough seats in the elections to beat Netanyahu’s Likud Party. Although Liberman’s party was not included in Eisenkot’s proposal directly, Yisrael Beytenu and Golan’s The Democrats are widely viewed as the main opposition parties that would partner to form an alternative government.

Gantz’s party has struggled in recent polls, which have shown Blue and White repeatedly failing to cross the electoral threshold.

In recent weeks, Gantz has promoted a campaign calling for a national unity government that would exclude both Ra’am (United Arab List) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit).

Gantz sharply criticized Liberman’s letter, accusing him of being unclear over how he would prevent a government from forming that would not be dependent on Arab parties or far-right figures, such as Ben-Gvir.

“It is strange that out of all the conditions and letters, Liberman does not explain which government he intends to pass a service framework in, how he plans to prevent the formation of an extremist government, or how he would stop a coalition reliant on the Joint List,” Gantz said.

The comments regarding the Joint List come after the leaders of the four central Arab parties, Ra’am, Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad, signed a commitment on Thursday evening to work toward reestablishing the Joint List bloc ahead of the next elections. “Such a government would collapse at the first security crisis and bring us Ben-Gvir as defense minister,” Gantz continued.

“The conclusion is clear,” Gantz said. “A vote for Liberman is a vote for Ben-Gvir.”

Liberman rejected Gantz’s claims on Sunday in an interview with Army Radio, voicing his opposition to being in a coalition with Ra’am.

“Ra’am cannot be a partner, because it opposes a universal conscription law,” Liberman said. “There is no possibility of sitting with them, even if they were to support such a law,” he added.

Liberman also slammed Gantz in return, saying that anyone who votes for him “is choosing Netanyahu as prime minister.”