Lieberman: I would do it all again exactly the same
Day after recommendation to indict him, foreign minister remains true to his way. In Yisrael Beiteinu faction meeting Lieberman announces will resign all posts should attorney general decide to indict him, but remains hopeful, 'In next year or two I'll be party leader and foreign minister'
The meeting on Monday morning took place at the Knesset's Constitution Committee chamber and was attended by Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, to whom the police are subordinate.
"I am glad that after great effort and the petition I filed, the investigation has at least ended," he cynically commented. Lieberman further added, "I hope to get a quick reply from the State Prosecutor's Office as well. I have to mention that yesterday I went over everything that happened and everything I was asked about. I am content with what I did."
Lieberman at the faction meeting. No regrets (Photo: Reuters)
The foreign minister mentioned that the police's recommendation is not the end of the matter: "As far as I'm concerned the watershed will be with a final decision by the attorney general after the hearing, in any way and at any date.
"In case the attorney general, following the hearing, decides to file an indictment, there is no doubt that at that moment I will resign, and I assume that within three to five months I shall also quit my post as party leader and Knesset member, in order to turn over matters in an orderly fashion," he said.
Positive attitude
However, Lieberman wished to clarify that should he be forced to resign it shall not be the end of his political career. "My estimate is that next year and the year after that I shall remain the party chairman and foreign minister, and most importantly in the next election. We took it upon ourselves to make it over 20 mandates in the next elections. In any case, Yisrael Beiteinu will make it over 20 mandates," he stated.Lieberman further added that he had no trouble falling asleep last night and that he feels in excellent shape.
Meanwhile, shortly before Lieberman made the statements in the faction meeting, Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni commented on the case during a Kadima faction meeting.
Livni attacked the government's silence on the affair, pointing a finger towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch. In reference to Lieberman's accusations on the police she said, "It's his right to fight for his innocence but there is one thing which is beyond one's rights and that is claiming the Israeli police is driven by political interests and personal and political persecution. When an Israeli citizen says that one has to respond and back up the Israeli police."
