Israel coalition parties spurn potential Avi Gabbay-led government

Israeli coalition partners have said they would not sit in a future Labor party-led government, responding to a recent boost in the polls for Avi Gabbay.

According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked have all said in recent days that their parties would not be in a coalition led by the new Labor leader.

In an interview on Saturday, Kahlon told Israeli television that he’s “disappointed” in Gabbay’s behaviour. “I can say this in the clearest way: Kulanu will not be a fig leaf in a left-wing government,” Kahlon said.

“I am a man of the nationalist camp, unlike the Labor Party or what’s leading it. I opposed the [2005 Gaza] disengagement and I am for the Land of Israel and a united Jerusalem. Therefore, I don’t see any situation in which Kulanu will join a right-wing Labor government.”

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In a separate interview on the same night, Lieberman declared Gabbay “not relevant” because “it is impossible to form any coalition with these parties [Yisrael Beitenu and Kulanu] outside of it”.

“There’s no revenge here, but for a thousand and one reasons, these parties will never sit in his government. He just isn’t relevant, he has no chance, and we can erase him from the lexicon.”

Responding, Gabbay said Lieberman is “the last person” he would ask to join a coalition.

Gabbay resigned from Kulanu and the government when Lieberman became defence minister. Asked why Kahlon had ruled out being part of a Labor-led coalition, Gabbay said: “You’ll have to ask him.”

“My job is to reach 28 to 30 seats,” Gabbay added. “Once we do that, everyone will join the coalition. No one wants to sit in the opposition”.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) was sceptical about Kahlon and Lieberman’s statements, telling Army Radio: “I’ve already learned that politics is the art of the impossible. We don’t take any announcement for granted forever.”