Avigdor Liberman, the leader of Yisrael Beytenu, has started labeling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a supporter of Palestinian statehood. He specifically highlighted Netanyahu’s speech at Bar-Ilan University in 2009, claiming, “the only one who declared his willingness to establish a Palestinian state is Benjamin Netanyahu,” as reported by the Times of Israel.
This attack seems to be a response to criticism of Liberman’s recent proposal, where he suggested giving Jordan administrative control over Areas A and B of the West Bank during a discussion on the B’Sheva podcast. He described the Palestinian Authority as essentially bankrupt, according to the Times of Israel.
Netanyahu fired back, accusing Liberman of being on the left side of the political spectrum. He remarked, “Liberman, I knew that you were on the left ever since you established a government with Mansour Abbas,” in a post on X.
ליברמן, ידעתי שאתה בשמאל מאז שהקמת ממשלה עם מנסור עבאס. אני יודע שאתה בשמאל כי תקים ממשלה עם איזנקוט, יאיר גולן, בנט והמפלגות הערביות. אבל לא האמנתי שאתה תציע היום שצבא ירדן ישלוט בשטחי ארץ ישראל. חזור בך מייד!
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 23, 2026
In his defense, Liberman released a video that compiled Netanyahu’s earlier statements on the subject of statehood. “This isn’t AI. This is Netanyahu saying: ‘We must have a Palestinian state in the West Bank!’” he stated on X.
זה לא AI. זה נתניהו שאומר: “חייבים מדינה פלסטינית בגדה המערבית!” https://t.co/spZirmZy1s
— אביגדור ליברמן (@AvigdorLiberman) September 23, 2026
Several prominent figures from the coalition criticized Liberman’s plan. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed concerns that it would undermine Israeli security, stating, “Liberman wants to return Israel to the days of the Jordanian Legion. We must not let that happen,” as quoted by the Times of Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir labeled Liberman as a danger to Israel, and Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra-orthodox Shas party, remarked that Liberman had “forgotten what it means to be right-wing,” according to the report.
As the campaign nears its conclusion, projections indicate that Liberman’s party might secure about 10 legislative seats, as stated by the Jerusalem Post.
Israelis are set to vote on October 27.
