Why did Lieberman quit?

Attila Somfalvi


Regardless of the way Avigdor Lieberman attempted to present it, and regardless of all the explanations he attempted to provide, it was difficult to shake off the pathetic feeling that overwhelmed the room where the minister for strategic affairs realized his tactical threat. For long minutes, Lieberman attempted to explain to journalists why Yisrael Beiteinu was shifting to the Opposition, yet it appears his explanations were futile. The more he spoke, the more he became entangled; the more he attacked the media and the journalists, the more tense he looked.


On a day where fighting in Gaza was escalating and Qassam rockets were ceaselessly landing in Sderot, the minister sat in front of the cameras in order to deal with himself and his own political needs. The problem was that his complex explanations mostly included inherent contradictions: Negotiations with the Palestinians are not going anywhere, but we’re quitting the government because we don’t like the talks on core issues. Actually, we don’t have a problem with the Palestinians, but rather, with Israeli Arabs. They are the main problem.


A year and three months after joining the government, and without delivering on almost any promise made to his voters, Lieberman suddenly recalled that he was tricked by Olmert. Come on. After all, he knew very well what he can expect when he entered the government. He knew who makes up the cabinet, who is out there in the Knesset, and what is the balance of power on sensitive issues such as civil marriages, the changing of the government system, and the question of conversion.


He knew all that, but he turned a blind eye, because he wanted to join the government rather than dry up on the Opposite benches. Therefore, his current argument that the prime minister did not stand by his obligations doesn’t hold water – he knew those obligations were written on ice.


Despite the long press conference, it’s difficult to explain why Lieberman decided to quit. On the face of it, all the reasons why he entered the government are still valid: The Iranian threat has not been removed, the trouble in Gaza only worsens, and the negotiations with the Palestinians are not quite on the verge of being finalized. So why quit then?


The first crack
The views on this matter are divided: Some say that a talk with his advisor, Arthur Finkelstein, was the factor that convinced him to quit. Other politicians say that Lieberman may be sensing that Olmert will not be surviving the publication of the Winograd Report – and as Lieberman would not be able to call on him to quit over this, he preferred to bolt the coalition earlier, on the basis of seemingly ideological issues. That way, if the government is toppled and elections are brought forward, he would be able to say that his resignation created the first crack.


The question is whether this resignation will indeed create the crack that would bring down the government in a few weeks. After all, the prime minister can find partners that would boost his coalition. United Torah Judaism would always be glad to reassume the headship of the Knesset Finance Committee and also enjoy the hundreds of millions Olmert is sure to offer it.


As to Shas, which is suddenly demanding clarifications, we can assume it will not rush to quit. And how will all this affect the Labor party? Will the Lieberman resignation reinforce Labor’s presence in the coalition, because of the ongoing diplomatic negotiations, or will it view this resignation as a signal to charge at Olmert?


For the time being, Labor leader Barak is conveying vague and contradictory messages. On the one hand, he is talking about national responsibility, yet on the other hand, he would find it difficult to ignore the report. He too, just like Lieberman, will have to wait and see where the wind is blowing.