Knesset Elections: Liberman Reveals Yisrael Beiteinu Party List

Knesset elections: Liberman reveals Yisrael Beiteinu Party list

“We have always maintained our principles as a right-wing, Zionist, liberal party,” the hardline secularist party leader stated.

Lieberman Unveils Yisrael Beytenu Slate, Vows No Draft Exemptions for Yeshiva Bochurim

Yisrael Beytenu unveiled its candidate slate for the 26th Knesset on Sunday evening, as party chairman Avigdor Lieberman laid out an aggressive post-election agenda that includes universal military or national service, mandatory core studies in state-funded schools, and a refusal to enter into understandings with the chareidi parties. The slate was presented before more than 1,000 people at Expo Tel Aviv. Lieberman retained the No. 1 position, while several new candidates were given prominent spots on the list. Rafi Ben Shitrit, a former mayor of Beit She’an and onetime Likud member, was placed second. Ben Shitrit is the father of Elroi Ben Shitrit z”l, a soldier in the IDF’s 414 Combat Intelligence Collection Unit who was killed while fighting at the Nahal Oz outpost during the October 7 massacre. He is also among the founders of the October Council. The third spot went to Col. (res.) Talia Lankri, who previously served as deputy head of the National Security Council for counterterrorism policy, homeland security and the home front, as well as head of the NSC’s Home Front Division. She currently works as a national security adviser and lecturer. MK Oded Forer was placed fourth, followed by MK Yulia Malinovsky in fifth. Sharon Sharabi received the sixth position. Sharabi is the brother of Yossi Sharabi z”l, who was murdered while being held hostage by Hamas, and of captivity survivor Eli Sharabi, whose wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered in the October 7 massacre. Since the attack, Sharon Sharabi has been active in efforts to secure the return of the hostages. Positions seven through 10 went to MK Hamad Amar, MK Evgeny Sova, Lod Deputy Mayor Elvira Kolikhman, and former MK Dan Illouz. The next five spots went to Lili Ben Ami at No. 11, Dr. Yael Benvenisti at No. 12, Metula Mayor David Azoulai at No. 13, former MK Limor Magen Telem at No. 14, and Capt. (res.) Yisrael Ben Shitrit at No. 15. Ben Shitrit, a reserve deputy company commander in the Alexandroni Brigade, was seriously wounded during fighting against terrorists in Khan Yunis. Former MK Sharon Roffe Ofir was placed 16th, followed by Mor Dekel at No. 17, attorney Michaela Levin Shamir at No. 18, and Col. (res.) Olivia Rapovitz at No. 19. Maj. (res.) Yaakov “Yanki” Moses was given the 20th position. Moses left the chareidi community and volunteers with Hillel, an organization that assists others who have done the same. Rounding out the 25 candidates presented were Ami Kor at No. 21, Maya Plumboim at No. 22, attorney Eddie Mordechayev at No. 23, Michal Oron Azani at No. 24, and attorney Stav Boyangiu Matza at No. 25. In his address, Lieberman took a hard line on the draft issue, declaring that he would reject any arrangement establishing exemptions or quotas for bnei yeshivos. “I am not prepared to accept any wink in the direction of Netanyahu and the chareidi parties. Anyone who talks about an exemption for 30% or for 4,500 yeshiva students is mistaken and misleading,” Lieberman said. “The moment you agree to a certain exemption, what was is what will be. An argument over the numbers will begin, and then go establish an administration that will determine who is really learning Torah and who is not. Therefore, this will not happen. We will not lend a hand to such a thing.” Lieberman said one of his party’s first priorities would be legislation establishing “a draft law for everyone.” “In our system, there will be no draft dodgers. Everyone will stand in line at the recruitment office,” he said. “Every young person who reaches the age of 18 – Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze or Circassian – will report to the induction center, and the IDF will decide whom it recruits for military service and who goes to national service,” Lieberman said. Lieberman also pledged to require every educational institution receiving state funding to teach a core curriculum. “Every child whose education is funded by the State of Israel must receive the tools that will enable him to integrate into society and the labor market,” he said. The Yisrael Beytenu chairman then turned his attention to what he characterized as “chareidi coercion,” promising to oppose policies he views as imposing chareidi standards on the broader public. “We believe in a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state. We love the tradition of Israel and Jewish values, but we will strongly oppose chareidi coercion,” Lieberman said. “We will not agree to allow the Bnei Brak syndrome to spread throughout the country. City councils will not be able to make decisions regarding separate sidewalks for women and men, and we will repeal the law on gender separation in academia,” he added. Lieberman also addressed Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, saying that while he respects him personally, the two differ significantly over the strategy their political bloc should pursue. “I respect and appreciate Gadi Eisenkot. We worked together and knew how to get along, even when we had difficult disagreements. I will tell you something else, I have no ego. But at the same time, there is a significant gap between my approach and Gadi Eisenkot’s approach.” “What I have seen over the past month is an intensified effort by Gadi and his people to ensure that the ‘Yashar’ party will be the largest party. What interests me is bringing as many mandates as possible to the bloc. It is not enough to be the largest party when the entire bloc does not have enough mandates,” Lieberman said. Lieberman outlined several additional measures he said he would pursue following the election, including establishing a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, limiting a prime minister to two terms, creating a national headquarters to combat organized crime, and establishing a constitution for Israel. Lieberman said the government he hopes to form would consist “only of Zionist parties,” adding that he believes that at a later stage, “Likud without Netanyahu will also join our government.” {Matzav.com}