Lieberman eyes defense portfolio, slams Netanyahu over Hamas
'The order to destroy Hamas was not given because of Netanyahu and Ya'alon,' Avigdor Lieberman told Ynet before visiting Hebron's Cave of the Patriarchs, claiming he will do better job than predecessor.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman has his eye on the lucrative defense portfolio in Israel's next government. He is certain he will be a member of the new government, even though recent polls put him at around 5-6 Knesset seats – down from close to 30 he and the Likud gained in their joint-run during the last election.
Lieberman sat down with Ynet for a talk before continuing on his campaign trail, which began with him attempting to woo centrist voters with his regional peace plan and now has him targeting hardliners with a visit to Hebron's Cave of the Patriarchs.
Lieberman has said he thinks Israel should execute terrorists and vowed to work to towards such an end.
"We (Yisrael Beytenu) have a clear policy for every issue. I want to make sure the next government commits to destroying the Hamas regime in Gaza and passes a law giving terrorists capital punishment," he told Ynet on Sunday.
When asked if he and Netanyahu reached a mutual non-aggression pact, the rightist leader said "we are talking about the difference (between us and the Likud), not attacking one another. I think that any person who wants a leadership that knows how to make decisions and act decisively has no choice but to vote for Yisrael Beytenu."
Nonetheless, Lieberman had harsh words for his former allies in the Likud – with whom his party ran on a joint ticket during the 2013 elections – placing the onus of Hamas' continued control squarely on Netanyahu's shoulders.
According to the foreign minister, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon have failed to give the order to destroy Hamas. "It was unbearable. We cannot accept a situation in which someone kills an IDF soldier and does not face a proper response. So we need Lieberman in the defense ministry," he said, referencing himself in the third-person.
Like centrist Moshe Kahlon, Lieberman hedged his bets and refused to commit to backing Netanyahu to form the next government, but hinted that would most likely be the result.
"In 2009, Tzipi Livni received more seats (than Netanyahu) and offered us a better deal than Netanyahu, but we went with him and made him prime minister. Nothing is personal. We want to make sure that we can make our policy prominent in the next government," he said.
Despite polls putting him at roughly 5 seats, Lieberman is sure that his actual numbers will be much higher, at least in the double digits, he said.
"I suggest we talk Tuesday night and we'll see once again how wrong they are regarding Yisrael Beytenu," he said defiantly.
