Lieberman starts electoral campaign by pledging to fight Hamas

Former Israeli defence minister Avigdor Lieberman yesterday launched his party’s electoral campaign with a pledge to fight – and not surrender to – Hamas, Quds Press reported.

In a press conference held in Tel Aviv, Lieberman pledged to made the fight against Hamas the top of his priorities, adding he would not become involved in coalitions with other parties.

During the press conference, he attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he apologised to Turkey over the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla in 2010 and the killing of nine Turks.

Israeli radio reported that Lieberman did not reject the idea of participation in a future government headed by Netanyahu.

READ: Lieberman’s resignation prioritised politics over Israel’s security

Lieberman resigned from his position as defence minister in Netanyahu’s coalition government on 14 November 2018 following a disagreement over the recently-signed ceasefire with Gaza.

Israeli elections are due to take place in April and the Likud party, headed by Netanyahu, is likely to win the elections and form the new government.

Netanyahu is currently entangled in four political scandals: Case 1000 which involves allegations that the PM and his wife accepted illegal gifts from businessmen; Case 2000 which accuses Netanyahu of attempting to buy favourable newspaper coverage; Case 3000, also known as the “submarine scandal”; and Case 4000, in which a close associate of Netanyahu is suspected of providing confidential information to Israel’s largest telecoms company.

The prime minister’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, has also been accused of using public funds for private expenditure in the prime minister’s households. Only 20 per cent of respondents to the recent survey believe she is innocent.

READ: Hamas and some fateful days ahead