Lieberman: "I am against religious activism, I am for tradition"

Following the upheaval in the political system created yesterday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman referred today (Friday), to the dramatic move during the press conference held in Kfar Maccabiah in Ramat - Gan. Lieberman said that talks with Likud began a year ago, and two months ago it was decided to consolidate. He noted that there is a need for four or five big parties, to create a stable political system in the country.

When questioned whether he is not afraid that the first serious partition between him and Netanyahu will once bring about an election campaign, Lieberman said: "joint work between me and Netanyahu has lasted four years and our history shows that we can overcome all the controversy."

"Obviously, we will try to formulate the camp and share a common ground, and obviously we will have to compromise, not only on religion and state, but also on recruitment and national service."

When referring to his Russian audience, who support the separation of religion and state, he said: "We clearly think that one cannot separate religion and state in Israel. We are the only nation that has absolute identification between religion and ethnicity. What is needed is separating the Jewish functionaries. I am against religious activists. There is an expression in Russian which says: 'the closer you are to church, the further away you are from God.' I'm against religious activism and the business they do with dietary and religious councils, I'm all for tradition and the separation of functionaries from religion."

Lieberman was asked whether the move fell through because of fear due to a decline in mandates. "Nothing scares us," said the minister. "This run for office is the result of forethought. The process began last year; a final decision was made two months ago."

"We are setting up the general national camp, traditional, historical, who have led the country for many years," Lieberman continued. "I guess we'll never achieve two parties like in the U.S., but we must bring a reality of 4-5 large parties, to ensure governability and stability. Threats and challenges facing us move us to another place entirely, so this union definitely produces a new reality, and I hope that everyone understands that there is no other alternative beyond this list. Everyone understands that it is much easier and better to run a country with large parties and not with splinter parties, that their life expectancy is one term. Whoever votes for fragments parties, without any ideology, realizes he throws his vote into the garbage of history.

Currently there are two different factions running for office in one list. For four years we have worked together side by side, the two parties were the anchors of stability of the regime in recent years, there is a natural dynamic. "

Does he intend in the future to inherit Netanyahu and stand as Likud head? Lieberman: "I do not deal with inheritance. We will do our best to succeed in the elections and after. It is much more important not only to ensure, but also to implement, and our word is a word."

"We'll try to do what we could not implement during this Knesset due to the multiple parties. We're definitely ready, this list reflects experience and ability and I'm sure it will be the choice of the citizens of Israel."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!