This exclusive interview first appeared on our sister publication, MIGNews, in Russian | Translated and adapted to English by C14 Global
These days there is active discussion about signing an agreement with Iran. One would very much like to call it a “peace agreement,” but its contents are not yet known. What can you say about the possible agreement with Iran?
MK Avigdor Liberman: Any agreement with Iran is a catastrophe for Israel. The ayatollah regime cannot be trusted, at least not on any matter that concerns Israel. They openly declare that their goal is the destruction of the State of Israel. Whatever agreement Iran signs, they will still proceed toward the creation of nuclear weapons, and that is a threat not only to Israel but to the entire Middle East. Moreover, such an agreement entails the “unfreezing” of Iranian bank assets. That is 100 billion dollars that will most likely go toward arming Iran.
How do you see Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions in connection with the signing of an agreement between the United States and Iran?
Liberman: Netanyahu has already clearly demonstrated that Israel under his leadership has turned into a “banana republic.” We wait to see what “big brother” says, or what he permits. Never before has our country been so dependent [on someone else] in its decisions.
The closer we get to elections, the more frequently people bring up the notorious 53 billion NIS that you allegedly allocated to the Arab population. There is a great deal of contradictory information on this matter. Please clarify for our readers what is true and what is fiction or slander.
Liberman: The basis for all these speculations is Government Resolution No. 922, passed by the Netanyahu government in December 2015, titled “Economic Plan for Reducing Gaps in Arab Society by 2026.” That resolution addresses a range of measures to improve the standard of living for Israel’s Arab citizens.
To be clear again: this concerns only citizens of the State of Israel from the Arab sector. The Netanyahu government planned to allocate these funds to construction, education, and combating crime. At the time this resolution was adopted I was not a member of the government, having returned only in May 2016. In 2021, Netanyahu stated at an event in Nazareth that he had invested 15 billion shekels in the Arab sector, more than all previous Israeli governments combined.
When the “government of change” replaced the Netanyahu government, Resolution 922 was revised, and subsequently 4.7 billion shekels were allocated, of which more than half went to road construction and the remainder to combating crime. These funds produced results: crime in the Arab sector decreased during the tenure of the “government of change.” Again, this was a continuation of Netanyahu’s program, and less than 5 billion was allocated.
When the “October 7th government” came to power, it could perfectly well have annulled Resolution 922, as it annulled, for example, the “Protection of the North” program, but it did not do so. And it allocated a further 10 billion. So the story about 53 billion is complete fiction.
Recently there has been increasing talk about merging Yisrael Beiteinu with Gadi Eisenkot’s party and with Naftali Bennett’s party. Are you prepared to unite?
Liberman: There is no talk of unification at this point. We are prepared to cooperate with any Zionist party that shares the same goals as Yisrael Beiteinu:
- Toppling the “October 7th government”
- Establishing a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7th
- Drafting all citizens of Israel who have reached the age of 18 into the army, regardless of nationality, gender, or religion
- Preserving the Zionist character of the state
However, following Eisenkot’s statement that he is prepared to grant exemptions from service to 4,500 draft evaders, we understand that 4,500 today becomes 10,000 within a year and the current situation will soon repeat itself. I am not prepared to accept that.
Do you believe you will be Israel’s next prime minister?
Liberman: Of all the contenders I have the broadest experience in various government positions, and so I consider it entirely logical that the person elected to this post should be someone who can bring maximum benefit to the state. Appointing an inexperienced person as prime minister is a situation that opens the door to problems. I have held the most critical positions: Minister of Defense, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy, and others. These positions have given me enormous experience. I have always been consistent in my decisions, faithful to the principles of true Zionism, and that is precisely why I consider myself the most qualified for this role.
What do you consider the primary task for the Israel Defense Forces and the government in the sphere of security?
Liberman: I would divide my answer into two parts. First and foremost, we must ensure the protection of the country’s north. Over the past several months I have visited the north several times, more than any other Member of Knesset. The north of the country is turning into a wasteland. Businesses are closing, people are leaving, and all of this simply because they do not feel protected and no longer believe the government’s promises. Urgent measures are needed.
But the most important thing is the complete destruction of Hezbollah. No ceasefires, no agreements. We can see clearly now that the ceasefire allowed Hezbollah to reach a new level, and our army is facing a new type of weapon: exploding drones. If we do not find ways to counter them in the shortest possible time, these drones will soon be appearing in the skies over Tel Aviv. Only complete destruction, and ideally in partnership with other countries of the region, first and foremost the government of Lebanon itself and Saudi Arabia. This opportunity exists, and failing to take advantage of it would be an enormous strategic mistake.