Liberman to Regev: 'I only greet humans'

Liberman made the comment when the pair crossed paths in the Channel 13 studios. Regev has denounced it as "offensive and humiliating."

By MAARIV ONLINE
Avigdor Liberman at the Maariv/Jerusalem Post election conference on September 11 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Avigdor Liberman at the Maariv/Jerusalem Post election conference on September 11
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev and Yisrael Beyteinu leader Avigdor Liberman had a run-in on Saturday while at the studios of Channel 13.
The confrontation happened just after Liberman finished his interview with "Hamate Hamerkazi" show host Ayila Hason. Regev entered the studio to be interviewed after him.
When Hason told the both of them that "You don't have to say hello to each other," Regev answered that in fact she wished Liberman  a good week, but he did not reply. Instead, Liberman answered: "I only greet humans."
 
In response, Regev took to Twitter.
"I was shocked by Liberman's bold, offensive and humiliating response towards me during the live broadcast with Ayila Hason," she tweeted.
"I met him tonight in the studio, wished him a good week, and he responded: 'I only greet humans.'
"Such a sexist and misogynistic response doesn't have a place in conversation between men and women, or anywhere. You can have disagreements, you can criticize, but no one has the right to act this way.
"Liberman has no moral compass and no basic respect between humans and I can't help but condemn such behavior. It would be a shame if this is the man who wants to bring unity to Israel."

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the spat, writing on Twitter that "Liberman's behavior is inhumane and disrespectful. Unlike him, Miri Regev acted with politeness and honor. We are proud of her actions as the culture and sports minister who broke the Left's monopoly on culture and brought culture to the whole of Israel, and promoted Israeli sports around the world."

On Saturday, Liberman struck back at a number of comments made by MKs from the right-wing bloc, who have said that his actions will lead to a fourth round of elections, insisting that that scenario won't come to pass.
"The immunity and religious coercion bloc are synchronized with their messages," he said. "When Regev, Bennett and Gafni repeat the same mantra, the bloc must fear that there won't be a fourth election. So I repeat: There will be no fourth round of elections."
He added that "Anyone interested in the immunity and religious coercion government should vote for the Likud-Yamina-Haredi parties. Anyone who wants a liberal Zionist government should vote for Yisrael Beyteinu."



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Avigdor Liberman
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