Liberman accuses Eisenkot of plotting post-election alliance with Netanyahu, siphoning votes

"Regrettably, Gadi’s lack of political experience is reminiscent of a pattern we have seen before with IDF chiefs of staff who entered politics," Liberman said.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman on Friday accused Yashar party leader and former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot of planning to join forces with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party when forming a government after the upcoming elections.

"The campaign being run by Eisenkot is not intended to shift a single vote from the 'draft dodgers' bloc to the 'those who serve' bloc," Liberman said, referring to the issue of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Israelis refusing to serve in the IDF as other citizens are made to serve months of reserve duty.

Liberman said Eisenkot's strategy is to siphon votes from the parties that seek to enforce enlistment, then negotiate with Netanyahu to form a government once he has more mandates than Likud.

"This stands in complete contradiction with the agreements reached by the bloc's leaders during their last meeting, undermines unity, and raises one simple question: What lies behind this move?" Liberman asked.

"Regrettably, Gadi’s lack of political experience is reminiscent of a pattern we have seen before with IDF chiefs of staff who entered politics," added Liberman. "From Yigael Yadin and Ehud Barak to Benny Gantz, military rank and experience are no substitute for political experience. Even Yitzhak Rabin, following his first term as prime minister, needed many years to return, gain experience, and get re-elected."