Liberman set to become only Eisenkot-bloc leader with direct security ties to Netanyahu

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman is expected to contact Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly on security and diplomatic matters after the Knesset's Arrangements Committee voted Wednesday to recommend his appointment as chairman of the new Knesset's temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Under the law, the new Knesset does not currently have an opposition leader, so the prime minister is not required to provide regular security briefings to anyone. As a result, Netanyahu is not currently obligated to provide security updates to any political figure.

At the same time, Liberman's appointment as chairman of the temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee would make him one of the most informed political figures on security matters, after the prime minister and defense minister.

In effect, Liberman would become the only party leader in the Eisenkot-led bloc with direct contact with the prime minister on security and diplomatic matters during the transition of power.

The Arrangements Committee, approved by the Knesset on Wednesday, will determine the new parliament's working procedures and the representation of each faction on parliamentary committees in the coming days.

Committee approved Liberman as chair of Foreign Affairs, Defense Committee

As part of its decision, the committee approved the establishment of a temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee comprising 17 members and recommended Liberman as its chairman. The proposal passed with 13 MKs voting in favor and nine opposed.

Under the decision, Likud will be represented on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee by Boaz Bismuth, Yaakov Bardugo, Ofir Katz, and Elisha Madan.

The B'Yachad faction will be represented by Ram Ben-Barak and Keren Turner; the Democrats by Yair Golan; Ra'am by Yoav Segalovitz; Yisrael Beytenu by Avigdor Liberman; Otzma Yehudit by Limor Son Har-Melech; United Torah Judaism by Elyakim Stark; Shas by Yinon Azoulay; and the Religious Zionist Party by Simcha Rothman.

Eisenkot calls on Netanyahu to exercise restraint

Meanwhile, Yashar Party chairman MK Gadi Eisenkot appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, demanding that he exercise restraint and caution when making security and national decisions amid the sensitive political situation.

Eisenkot warned against security measures that are not immediately necessary and called on Netanyahu to refrain from decisions that, he said, could undermine public confidence in state institutions.

In his letter, Eisenkot wrote: "I am addressing you as someone who still holds the reins of government and who remains responsible at this time for the security of the State of Israel, the IDF, and the security services."

He then emphasized Netanyahu's political standing.

"At this time, as you know very well, you are serving as the prime minister of a caretaker government that no longer enjoys the confidence of the Knesset. Only 46 MKs still support your continued tenure as prime minister."

Eisenkot also addressed reports published in recent weeks concerning the considerations behind security decisions.

"In recent weeks, deeply troubling reports have been published concerning the introduction of extraneous considerations into the holiest of holies: Israel's security," he wrote.

Toward the end of his letter, Eisenkot also addressed the potential consequences for the heads of Israel's security establishment, warning against a situation in which they could be forced to confront constitutional questions relating to decisions made by the political leadership.

"You must not place the heads of the security establishment in a difficult constitutional conflict, leaving them with doubts about what is required of them and what the right course of action is. Allow them to uphold, without doubt, the sacred duty entrusted to them," he wrote.

Eisenkot concluded his appeal with a quotation: "Let every Hebrew mother know that she has entrusted the fate of her sons to commanders worthy of that responsibility."