Liberman criticizes Kushner’s role, demands state commission of inquiry on war failures

‘Those bloodthirsty terrorists who killed IDF soldiers after the ceasefire have only two options, surrender or die.’

Avigdor Liberman derided Jared Kushner as Israel’s “acting prime minister” and said terrorists in Rafah have “two options, surrender or die,” speaking at a Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting at the Knesset on Monday.

The Yisrael Beytenu head sarcastically thanked “acting prime minister Jared Kushner” and “member of the security cabinet Steve Witkoff” for their brief visit, then stressed Israel’s bottom line in Rafah after a recent ceasefire incident: “Those bloodthirsty terrorists who killed IDF soldiers after the ceasefire have only two options, surrender or die.”

Liberman said Defense Minister Israel Katz was presented with the findings of Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Sami Turgeman’s review, arguing that only a state commission of inquiry can address failures around the war. “The real choice is a state commission of inquiry,” he said, adding that “Netanyahu explained this best.” Asked by Walla how he again dodged a photo with Yair Golan, he quipped, “I wasn’t wearing makeup.”

Turning to the regional arena, Liberman warned of a possible near-term flare-up with Iran. “Iran is in a very difficult situation, there is no water, the banks are collapsing, and in parallel they are arming, usually one of the solutions for internal crises,” he said. “As long as the ayatollahs are in power, we must be ready for any development.”

Liberman also criticized what he called a “deal” between Arab parties and Haredi factions. “Three parties in the world have no female representation, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and the Taliban,” he said, accusing ultra-Orthodox lawmakers of “running from responsibility” on the conscription law while striking votes with Joint List leaders on other issues.

Lapid calls Ben-Gvir, ‘a national disaster’

Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, speaking separately at his faction meeting, blasted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the arrest of a civics teacher who called him a “Kahanist.” Lapid said, “Ben-Gvir is a Kahanist, a racist and an admirer of Baruch Goldstein, and people died because of him. It is all true.” He added: “He is a national disaster, an international disaster, a disgrace to Judaism and a shame to Zionism. There is one thing he is not, he is not immune from criticism. He cannot use the police to silence people.”

During his speech, Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the media of being responsible for the rise of Itamar Ben-Gvir: “Netanyahu’s original sin was appointing a man convicted of supporting terrorism as national security minister. The media, which brought him into the studios again and again, legitimized him in the name of ratings.”

According to Lapid, the arrest of teacher Alec Yefremov, who he claims was subjected to a strip search, illustrates “the misuse of police power by the minister to intimidate critics and harm freedom of expression.”

Ben-Gvir responded during his faction’s meeting to a Walla question, saying that the police commissioner made an important decision by not passing the materials related to the Sde Teiman case to the prosecution. Regarding the failure to transfer materials to Judge Asher Kula, he said, “I expected more, the materials should be transferred to Judge Kula. The legal advisor is conflicted, and it would have been right to transfer the materials to him. On the other hand, he made a brave and correct decision not to transfer the materials to the prosecution.”

At his faction’s meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the return of Hadar Goldin’s remains to Israel yesterday. “At no point did his family demand his release as part of a deal in which terrorists who would endanger others would be freed. They displayed national pride,” he said. “The return of Hadar marks the closure of an important circle and also serves as a warning bell not to return to the old concept, not to give in to the illusion that someone else will do the work for us. The war must end with the destruction of Hamas. Terrorists in Rafah must end in surrender or death, there is no other option.”

In response to a Walla question, Smotrich said, “I am not aware of any opposition from the prime minister to the appointment of the military advocate general. I congratulate Israel Katz on his well-deserved appointment.”