Former Israeli Defense Minister and once-close ally Avigdor Lieberman accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday of fueling the risk of civil war in Israel.
“Has Netanyahu decided to provoke a civil war?” Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, posted on social media.
He added, “It’s impossible to simultaneously fight Iran, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General.”
His accusation came as the ruling coalition debated plans to advance a controversial judicial reform scheme and dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Lieberman called for an end to “Jewish infighting” and urged the government to focus on external threats.
“The attempt to take control of the Supreme Court and dismiss the Attorney General is pushing Israeli society to the brink of unprecedented collapse and internal conflict,” he warned.
Lieberman pointed to multiple crises Israel is facing, including hostages still held in Gaza, the ongoing conflict in Syria, the fragile position of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Iran’s continued uranium enrichment efforts.
“Instead of addressing these challenges, this government chooses to ignite a civil war. Netanyahu is sacrificing the state to preserve his coalition. This madness must stop,” he said.
Netanyahu claims the judicial reform plan aims to “balance powers” between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. However, critics argue it undermines Israeli democracy and could lead to dictatorship.
The reform sparked massive protests across Israel in 2023.
In October 2023, Israel launched a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, where nearly 45.000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed so far.
On November 21st, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its war in the Gaza Strip, AA writes.
