-
Israel’s Lieberman says not backing Netanyahu or Gantz for PM
Israeli ex-defense minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday he will not endorse either Benjamin Netanyahu or Benny Gantz for prime minister following last week’s deadlocked elections.
Lieberman, who could potentially play a kingmaker role, spoke to journalists as President Reuven Rivlin began consulting political parties on who they will back for prime minister.
A delegation from Lieberman’s secular nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party was due to meet Rivlin later Sunday.
Yisrael Beitenu won eight seats in the 120-seat parliament in Tuesday’s election.
Lieberman has insisted on a unity government between his party, Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and Gantz’s centrist Blue and White.
RELATED: Israel begins cutting Palestinian electricity, citing debts
He said he could not for now back Netanyahu because he is willing to form a coalition with Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, which he accuses of seeking to impose religious law on the secular population.
Lieberman also said he could not back Gantz for now because he may reach a deal with either the ultra-Orthodox or Israel’s Arab parties, which he called “enemies.”
