Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman on Sunday defended his willingness to compromise with haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties over military conscription, insisting that reaching political agreements does not mean abandoning his principles.
Liberman's remarks came after his announcement on Friday that he was prepared to show flexibility on the haredi draft law, a significant shift from his staunch opposition to entering a government with the haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ).
Liberman later stated on Sunday that the prerequisite for any conscription law would be its ability to withstand a High Court of Justice review.
"Otherwise, there is no point in wasting even a single minute on a law that is legally untenable," he added.
Party leaders in the opposition bloc have recently opened the door to negotiations with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties after once drawing a red line to partnering with them, providing an alternative path for forming a government amid the political deadlock between the opposition bloc and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp after the October 27 elections.
Liberman: 'Being willing to compromise does not mean giving up values and principles'
"Being willing to compromise does not mean giving up values and principles," Liberman stated earlier on Sunday.
The Yisrael Beytenu leader accused commentators, journalists, bots, and political critics of misrepresenting his intentions, claiming that some of the criticism carried racist undertones.
"In recent days, I have been watching a parade of folly by a series of commentators, partisan journalists, bots, and people with prejudices, sometimes with a distinctly racist tone," he said.
"No matter what I say, what I do, or what the truth is, they are always busy attributing malicious motives and inventing conspiracies."
Liberman has ruled out a coalition with the Arab parties and joining a unity government with Netanyahu. He has also warned against another round of elections.
However, Liberman said last week that whoever accepted his set of principles and a conscription law to draft the haredim, he would "have no problem with."
Shas has not openly expressed willingness to partner with the opposition bloc. However, on Thursday, UTJ, a longtime coalition partner of Netanyahu, declined to recommend a candidate for prime minister.
UTJ's decision not to recommend Netanyahu comes amid reported tensions between the haredi party and the prime minister. The move ultimately benefited the opposition bloc, giving the Netanyahu fewer recommendations.
Liberman repeatedly ruled out joining government with haredi parties in recent years
Liberman has repeatedly ruled out joining a government with haredi parties in recent years, citing fundamental disagreements over military conscription and issues related to religion and state.
He has previously declared that Yisrael Beytenu would not sit with either Arab or haredi parties, describing them as "non-Zionist elements" and arguing that anyone who refuses military service should be considered an evader.
His opposition to compromising on haredi conscription has also shaped coalition negotiations, most notably in 2019, when his refusal to support a compromise on a military draft law helped derail Netanyahu's efforts to form a government, triggering a political deadlock that led to five elections being held between 2019 and 2022.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.