Yisrael Beytenu leader MK Avigdor Liberman warned on Thursday that the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not authorized to make security decisions that could “drag Israel into a war” without the approval of the security establishment.
There have been reports of renewed tensions between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir over restarting military action against Iran. A Tuesday N12 report stated that disagreements between the two over the matter resurfaced.
“I warn that a caretaker government is not authorized to make decisions that could drag Israel into a war without parliamentary oversight and the full agreement of all security officials. I emphasize: all security officials,” Liberman stated.
Yashar party leader MK Gadi Eisenkot is set to receive a diplomatic and security briefing from Netanyahu and his military secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, Eisenkot and Netanyahu announced in a joint statement later.
The meeting was scheduled after the Yashar leader had previously said that his requests to receive such briefings had been denied.
Eisenkot also issued a warning similar to Liberman’s on Wednesday, urging caution in security decision-making while there is a caretaker government. He also appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to ensure that he receives regular security briefings from Netanyahu.
Liberman approved to serve as chair of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
Meanwhile, Liberman is expected to soon have greater oversight over security decision-making in the Knesset.
Liberman was approved by the Knesset’s Arrangements Committee on Thursday to serve as chair of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee (FADC), which oversees national security matters, military budgets, and legislation related to IDF conscription.
The Yisrael Beytenu leader has said that he intends to summon the IDF chief of staff and the head of the Mossad to the committee to receive an assessment of the security situation.
However, Liberman’s final appointment to the position was delayed until Monday after Netanyahu’s bloc reportedly opposed holding the required final committee vote on the FADC chairmanship until next week.
Until his appointment is finalized, Liberman cannot access classified intelligence materials in his capacity as committee chairman.
Amid the political deadlock between Netanyahu’s bloc and the bloc seeking to replace him, a new government has yet to be formed following the October 27 elections. Netanyahu will continue serving as caretaker prime minister until a new government is established.
Eisenkot was meanwhile granted the mandate to form the next government by President Isaac Herzog and has 28 days from Sunday to form a government, with the option of requesting a 14-day extension.
The Yashar party leader on Wednesday appealed to the A-G, asking her to intervene to ensure he receives regular security briefings from Netanyahu on the current threat assessment, “To ensure effective oversight, maintain a proper national decision-making process, and safeguard security interests.”
By law, the prime minister must provide the opposition leader with a security briefing at least once a month. Eisenkot requested to receive the briefings since no new opposition leader has been officially appointed to replace Yair Lapid while coalition negotiations continue.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a statement on Wednesday defending Netanyahu’s security decisions, saying that all government decisions “were based solely on security considerations and in full coordination with the security establishment.”
Katz defends government’s authority to order military action
On Thursday, Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the PMO’s position, saying that the government was responsible for all security decisions.
“There is one prime minister, one defense minister who directs the IDF, and one government responsible for making all decisions concerning Israel’s security and the protection of its citizens, naturally subject to the existing and necessary oversight,” Katz stated.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) criticized Liberman on Thursday, saying that it was impossible to achieve a “security victory when you are bound by agreements with those who oppose the very existence of the state,” reiterating his criticism of the Eisenkot-led bloc’s cooperation with the Arab parties.
Liberman has maintained a hard-line stance against forming a government with the Arab parties, after Ra’am and the Joint List won a record-breaking 19 seats in the election.
However, both Arab parties have expressed their willingness to support the Eisenkot-led bloc in parliamentary votes, potentially giving it a majority to pass legislation.
Richard Offenbacher contributed to this report.