As Israel approaches the October 27, 2026 election, Avigdor Liberman remains one of the most difficult figures in Israeli politics to classify.

A former foreign minister, defense minister, finance minister, transportation minister and infrastructure minister, once a close political ally of Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of Yisrael Beytenu for more than a quarter of a century, Liberman has accumulated considerable government experience.

Yet one question remains surprisingly difficult to answer: what, exactly, does he represent today?

Right-wing — but outside the “right-wing bloc”

The first difficulty lies in a distinction that has become increasingly important in Israeli politics: being right-wing no longer necessarily means belonging to the political “right-wing bloc” built around Netanyahu, the ultra-Orthodox parties and the religious Right.

On national and security issues, Liberman remains firmly rooted on the Right. For years he has advocated an aggressive military doctrine, criticized policies of restraint toward Hamas, and argued that deterrence ultimately depends on the ability to impose a clear defeat on one’s enemies.

In 2018, while serving as defense minister, he resigned in protest over a ceasefire with Hamas and sharply criticized the transfer of Qatari funds into Gaza.

His political distinctiveness lies elsewhere. Liberman today represents a national, secular Right.

Yisrael Beytenu advocates universal military or national service, the teaching of core subjects in all schools receiving public funding, civil marriage, greater municipal freedom over public transportation on Shabbat, and a reduction in the political leverage of the ultra-Orthodox parties.

The party also supports limiting the prime minister’s tenure and institutional reforms intended to establish clearer........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)