Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced that he intends to run for prime minister, sharply criticizing the government’s conduct during the war and declaring that he will not join any coalition led by Bibi Netanyahu or supported by Arab parties.

In an interview on Channel 12, Lieberman launched a broad attack on the government’s handling of the war over the past two and a half years, describing it as a “strategic failure.” While acknowledging certain tactical successes, he argued that Israel has failed to achieve decisive outcomes on any front. “It simply cannot be that soldiers are sent to search a suspicious house instead of bombing it from above,” Lieberman said, criticizing operations in the north. “I saw in Rambam young guys with amputated arms and legs. Why send them on these searches? Bomb it.”

Addressing the conflict with Hezbollah and Iran, Lieberman claimed that the political leadership “does not live the reality on the ground.” He suggested that Hezbollah could be eliminated by forming a coalition with Christian, Sunni, and Druze elements in Lebanon who oppose the group. “They are waiting for a phone call,” he asserted. Regarding Iran, he argued that recent operations were poorly executed: “We attacked but did not use Jewish ingenuity. Right now, the Iranians control 22 percent of global oil trade and collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz; this is a negative shift in status that has never happened before.”

Lieberman also touched on the issue of military conscription and the government’s alliance with chareidi parties, which he described as “idolatry.” He accused Netanyahu of advancing what he called an “evasion law” while the IDF is extending service for combat soldiers and calling up large numbers of reservists. “Netanyahu is simply sacrificing soldiers and reservists for draft evaders for the sake of his political survival,” he charged. Asked whether he would consider joining a Netanyahu-led government, Lieberman responded unequivocally: “There is no chance. Netanyahu must go; he bears responsibility for the greatest massacre since the Holocaust.”

Looking ahead to the next elections, Lieberman positioned himself as an alternative to the current leadership and declared his intention to seek the premiership. He ruled out any cooperation with Arab parties, whether direct or indirect, and expressed confidence that the left-wing bloc could secure 63 seats without their support. “I am running all the way on my own,” Lieberman said, adding: “Based on experience and credentials, I will be the next prime minister of the State of Israel.”