Avigdor Liberman

No. 15: Netanyahu's key partners and challengers shaping Israel's future

Following the October elections, the influence of these figures could change dramatically, depending on the balance of power between Netanyahu’s camp and the opposition bloc.

(L-R clockwise) Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Arye Deri, Gideon Sa'ar, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Liberman, Yuli Edelstein.
Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot at a march for conscripting haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews into the IDF, in Jerusalem, January 15, 2026; illustrative.

Bennett-Liberman, Eisenkot-Golan: Opposition parties sign surplus vote-sharing agreement

Naftali Bennett (L), Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Liberman.

Opposition leaders vow to form Oct. 7 probe as first act of new gov't, demand truth from Netanyahu

Yisrael Beytenu's chairman Avigdor Liberman.

Liberman unveils Yisrael Beytenu's election list with Rafi Ben Shitrit second, Sharon Sharabi sixth


With days left to submit Knesset slates, Chili Tropper must weigh next steps for party's future

Some within the party are pressing for staying the course, arguing against rushing to withdraw from the race or join an existing party.

Chili Tropper attends an election campaign conference of the Zionist Home-The Reservists political alliance in Jerusalem, on August 5, 2026.

New blood wanted: Israeli politics needs an infusion of unpolluted leaders - opinion

I eagerly await the day, perhaps in the 2028 or 2030 elections, when the current crop of politicians will have passed – and that means everybody from Netanyahu to Lapid and Gafni.

Israel’s election campaign is gathering pace, with the country’s political parties competing over the questions of security, leadership and the direction Israel takes after three years of war.

'October 7 treason?' 40% of Israelis believe there was 'betrayal from within' during massacre

16% of those polled unsure if there was a 'betrayal,' 40% believe there was not • Smotrich-Feiglin merger, launch of Winter's People of Israel boosted coalition to 51 seats, its strongest since May.

 Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem April 21, 2026.

'Result of haredi terror': Jerusalem's Basimta Cafe to close on Shabbat after weeks of protests

“Now we are asking to return Basimta Cafe to what it was intended to be: a calm, pleasant and open place for coffee, culture and dialogue,” said the CEO of Jews for Jesus, Eli Birnbaum.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat and clash with Israeli police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 8, 2026.

Jerusalem's Basimta Cafe may decide to close on Shabbat amid weekly haredi protests

The demonstrations against the cafe began following a revelation that the the eatery is an official Jews for Jesus project, a movement seen as controversial amongst mainstream Judaism.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat and clash with Israeli police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 8, 2026.

Liberman urges opposition to forge alliances with small parties near electoral threshold

"I call on the leaders of the serving bloc to act responsibly; we must all make one final effort to try to forge alliances," he continued.

Avigdor Liberman leads Yisrael Beytenu, it is polling at around 10 seats.

Bennett, Eisenkot draw the battle lines in race to lead Israel’s next coalition - analysis

Bennett is offering soft-right voters an alternative to Netanyahu, while Eisenkot is seeking to hold the political center while persuading right-wing voters that he is not dependent on the Left.

Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot at a march for conscripting haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews into the IDF, in Jerusalem, January 15, 2026; illustrative.

Bennett, Liberman risk splitting the anti-Netanyahu camp over who leads it - opinion

The leaders of the opposition remain divided over the most basic questions they will face the day after the election. Most importantly of these is: Who actually leads their camp?

Then-deputy prime minister Naftali Bennett and then-finance minister Avigdor Liberman attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, in Jerusalem, July 3, 2022

'The real victory': Former Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot welcomes birth of new daughter

In a post on Instagram, Bohbot shared a photo of him, his wife, and the newborn baby in the hospital. Alongside the photo, he included a passage from the book of Psalms, thanking God.

Former Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot and his wife, Rifka, with their newborn daughter, August 28, 2026.

Israel Election 2026: What does Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu stand for?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

Yisrael Beytenu leader and MK Avigdor Liberman holds a press conference in Tel Aviv, May 6, 2026