The battle to manage Israel's foreign relations
Analysis: Lapid and Lieberman are growing closer and holding a conference to save the Foreign Ministry, while Opposition chairman Herzog was left out.
Lapid, by the way, always says he shows Netanyahu respect and doesn't attack the prime minister personally. It didn't stop him last week from entering a battle of credit on who was responsible for the removal of BDS signs from the London Underground. Lapid claims he personally called London Mayor Boris Johnson, who promised him he would immediately take care of the problem. Netanyahu, meanwhile, claimed it was he who instructed Foreign Ministry director-general Dore Gold to take care of the issue. Either way, there's no doubt that the battle over managing Israel's diplomatic relations is only heating up.
In their conversation, Lieberman and Lapid launched into a political analysis, during which they agreed it was possible that the next elections will take place in a year's time, after Netanyahu sabotages Moshe Kahlon's efforts, and the finance minister in response will refuse to pass the budget the prime minister wants.
Then, the two went on to talking about the Foreign Ministry employees' crisis - cutbacks, failure to implement a wage agreement reached while Lapid was still in the Finance Ministry, Israel's isolation in the world, and Israel's faltering hasbara (public relations). Lieberman told Lapid that many of the Foreign Ministry's employees turn to him, as he was the foreign minister less than a year ago, and ask for his help. Meanwhile, they discussed the possibility of organizing a conference to save the Foreign Ministry.
This emergency conference, titled "Fighting for Israel's International Status," was held at the Knesset on Monday. Lapid and Lieberman organized it, and it was one of the largest conferences held at the Knesset. Fifteen speakers spoke at the conference, including coalition member MK Michael Oren and the chairman of the Foreign Ministry workers' union, Hanan Gondar.
This isn't the first time Lapid and Lieberman have worked together. They cooperated on the Equality in National Service Law and in the fight to change the system of governance. But lately, whenever Lapid find himself in need of breaking to the right, there is no one like Lieberman to help him. On the other hand, the Yisrael Beytenu leader wants to be perceived as the savior of the Foreign Ministry, the one the ministry's employees will call for the rescue from the current minister, who happens to be the prime minister as well.
"We have different opinions and a different security perception," Lieberman said. "In this case, we decided the Foreign Ministry can no longer be a punching bag - all because of people with vendettas and scores to settle."
Who are these people who have vendettas and scores to settle?
"You probably understand on your own who I'm talking about. At the moment, let it go. I am truly concerned for the Foreign Ministry and for Israeli diplomacy. As someone who hears from the employees every day, I can't ignore them or not come to their aid."
Lapid: "Evet and I have been talking about the crisis at the Foreign Ministry for a long time now and about what it means for Israel's foreign relations. The conference is the result of us understanding that Israel's national security is being compromised. It's concerning that Israel cannot stop the transfer of arms into our neighbor countries, that our status in the world is eroding, and that our relative advantage has been compromised. Look what's happening in the government. There's no one leading it. The issue of public relations has been split between several ministries. This is an outrage on a national scale."
This is indeed a concerning situation. Why didn't you include Opposition chairman Isaac Herzog in your initiative?
Lieberman: "This wasn't a planned move against Herzog. The call came from the employees, and I answered it. There's no reason to give it any political significance."
Perhaps this is because you and Lapid are skyrocketing in the polls while Herzog is plummeting, and you don't want to be associated with someone who's dropping?
"Buji is plummeting for different reasons. But beyond that, I have an excellent relationship with him, just like I do with everyone in the opposition and coalition, except for Bibi."
Lapid: "We didn't invite Herzog to join us because he doesn't deal with the Foreign Ministry as much. We're not boycotting anyone. Evet and I have been talking about this crisis for a long time, and working with him is natural because he was the foreign minister and I was the finance minister in the same government."
Perhaps it's better for you now, when you're breaking to the right, to abandon Herzog and join forces with Lieberman, your bridge to the right wing?
Lapid: "I understand why you're asking this question, but it's also clear to you that I don't need a bridge. We're a center party. I grew up in a right-wing home. This move is not about pandering to the right, it's about concern for the State of Israel. If one thing should come out from this conversation, it's that I love my country and I'm fighting for things to be better here."
And yet, is the current cooperation any indication for the future, of joining forces for the next elections?
Lapid: "I enjoy working with Evet, but it would not be serious if I said something (about joining forces) now. There are no elections right now, and the conference's goal is to put a spotlight on a national crisis the public is not familiar with. To warn that the country's situation is worse than ever, and that there are consequences that people don't understand. I hope the conference leads to the appointment of a full-time foreign minister, who will work to lower the flames with the United States, because it's no longer Obama vs. Bibi, but the US vs. Israel. (I also hope) Israeli missions aren't closed and that the foreign relations department is reinforced."
Lieberman: "There is nothing about this conference that is a sign of what's to come. It has no significance beyond the concern for the Foreign Ministry and for Israeli diplomacy."
Then we won’t see a Lapid-Lieberman bloc in the next elections?
Lieberman: "We will definitely no join Lapid. In any case, unlike others, I do not deal in the division of spoils that have yet to be caught. We are clearly right wing and will not give up our worldview."
Lapid: "I am goal-oriented and on a campaign for prime minister. I am operating in right wing strongholds, under the media’s radar."
Insiders said that the two are indeed acting as citizens concerned by the prime minister's actions. "Bibi enthusiastically declared that it was not so bad we cut ties with Turkey, the largest Muslim country in the world, because now there is a brand spanking new relationship with Greece. That is the same country that can barely get by and has no money to fill up gas in a jeep. Bibi is isolated, and he's lucky to have Angela Merkel, who has a hard time saying no so she agrees to meet with him occasionally for joint press conferences."
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog sounded quite amused by the conference. With a degree of virulence, he says he's glad to finally see Lapid in the Knesset. "I'm working on a number of issues with Lieberman, and there is fruitful cooperation between us."
As someone whose name comes up as a potential foreign minister in any government, were you told about the conference?
"No, they did not update or approach me, but I welcome the initiative and I'm glad that they are competing for the post of foreign minister in the government that I will form. I welcome anyone in the opposition who takes on an issue and challenges the government, because that is how an opposition should work. And a word of advice to Lapid, in light of the unfortunate outcome of his zero VAT plan, I suggest he really focuses on the post of foreign minister rather than return to the Finance Ministry."
Herzog doesn't mince words when it came to Lapid, who is siphoning all of the Zionist Union's seats in polls.
"While he and Lieberman are dealing with conferences, I'm working. In the last elections, Netanyahu crossed a red line. In light of the investigation that showed how many false text messages he sent on election day, which distorted the results, I intend to propose an amendment to the Knesset Elections Law next week. The bill, which I hope many Knesset members support, will determine that disseminating false information would be a criminal offense, punished with imprisonment. After all, elections are about the public placing its trust in its representatives. Unfortunately, law enforcement has not taken steps against what Netanyahu did, so we need the amendment."
