Netanyahu Slams Agreement between Gantz, Lieberman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)
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Netanyahu Slams Agreement between Gantz, Lieberman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he doesn’t rule out the formation of an expanded government that would basically include Likud party’s “natural partners,” right-wing and Haredi parties.

Netanyahu’s comments appear to be part of a front-line arrangement against Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu and Benny Gantz’s Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) announcement on Tuesday of signing a surplus vote agreement ahead of Israel's September 17 election.

The Premier slammed the agreement, noting that Lieberman is working on the formation of a left-wing government.

“Lapid and Gantz signed with Lieberman, it is in fact a new thing,” Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page, mocking the situation.

Likud slammed the two parties for the deal they struck. “Lieberman signed a surplus vote agreement with Lapid and Gantz after declaring openly that he would support them should they gain the premiership,” a statement by the party said.

“Whoever wants Netanyahu to head the next government should vote only for the Likud,” the statement added.

Lieberman described the agreement as a mere technical measure, not an alliance or coalition between the two political groups.

However, Israeli media said the agreement was ultimately aimed at recommending Gantz as prime minister, after Lieberman demanded that Netanyahu form a government that would include his party, Likud and Blue and White.

Beiteinu, meanwhile, called the agreement a “mere technical matter” and stated that they “will not risk losing a Knesset seat.”

“This agreement is normal and whoever criticizes it doesn’t have the right after surrendering to the reality imposed by the factions in Gaza and paying money to Hamas,” referring to Netanyahu and Likud.

Netanyahu has earlier refused the idea of a unified government along with Gantz, who said he would accept it if it doesn’t include Netanyahu.

This agreement boosts a possible post-election alliance between Gantz and Lieberman, whose party would balance between the right-wing Likud-led and other Blue and White parties.

The electoral race in Israel has been raging between Likud and Blue and White.

Opinion polls show that Likud and Blue and White retain their positions with a single seat in favor of Likud party.



Iran Urges UN Nuclear Watchdog to Drop 'Double Standards'

FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: Iranian Presidency/dpa
FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: Iranian Presidency/dpa
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Iran Urges UN Nuclear Watchdog to Drop 'Double Standards'

FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: Iranian Presidency/dpa
FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: Iranian Presidency/dpa

Iran's president said on Thursday the UN nuclear watchdog should drop its "double standards" if Tehran is to resume cooperation with it over Iran's nuclear program, Iranian state media reported.

President Masoud Pezeshkian last week enacted a law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the IAEA said it had pulled its last remaining inspectors out of Iran.

Relations between Iran and the IAEA have worsened since the United States and Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities in June, saying they wanted to prevent Tehran developing an atomic weapon. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only and denies seeking atomic weapons.

"The continuation of Iran's cooperation with the agency (IAEA) depends on the latter correcting its double standards regarding the nuclear file," state media quoted Pezeshkian as telling European Council President Antonio Costa by phone.

"Any repeated aggression (against Iran) will be met with a more decisive and regrettable response," he said.

Tehran accuses the IAEA of failing to condemn the attacks by the United States and Israel, and says the nuclear watchdog paved the way for the bombing by issuing a resolution declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.

"Failure to observe the principle of impartiality in reporting is one of the examples that casts doubt on the status and credibility of the IAEA," Pezeshkian said.

The bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities led to a 12-day war, during which Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel.

IAEA inspectors have not been able to inspect Iran's facilities since the bombing campaign, even though IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said it is his top priority.