Liberman and Bennett meet to allegedly discuss establishing a new right-wing party

Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman discuss forming a new right-wing party amid ongoing talks, but leadership struggles cause delays.

 THEN-ALTERNATE prime minister Naftali Bennett and then-finance minister Avigdor Liberman attend a cabinet meeting, in Jerusalem, in July 2022.  (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
THEN-ALTERNATE prime minister Naftali Bennett and then-finance minister Avigdor Liberman attend a cabinet meeting, in Jerusalem, in July 2022.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Chairman of Yisrael Beytenu MK Avigdor Liberman met on Wednesday. The meeting occured amid contacts to establish a new right-wing party.

As revealed by MK Ze'ev Elkin, current and former politicians were holding continuous talks with various right-wing entities to establish a liberal right-wing party to challenge coalition mandates. 

A spokesperson for MK Liberman said that the meeting with Bennett was held in "good spirits" and added that they were in "constant contact" and were "coordinating positions."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with member of the Knesset for Likud Zeev Elkin as they attend the swearing-in ceremony of the 22nd Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem October 3, 2019. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with member of the Knesset for Likud Zeev Elkin as they attend the swearing-in ceremony of the 22nd Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem October 3, 2019. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

In an interview on Radio 90FM, he stated, "The current imperative is to establish a national-liberal right bloc akin to the days of [former prime ministers Mencahem] Begin and [Yitzhak] Shamir, and several forces are already working towards this. We are raising this banner, including Yisrael Beytenu and perhaps Naftali Bennett. Everyone is talking to everyone."

Bennet and Liberman argue who will lead

However, earlier this month, Elkin stated that the establishment of the new liberal-nationalist right-wing party is delayed due to Bennett and Liberman's struggle over who will lead it. Last month, right-wing sources also cited inspiration from a poll published on Channel 12 News a day after National Unity Chairman Benny Gantz's resignation.

The data provided food for thought for the leaders of right-wing parties considering the possibility of a significant merger.

Eliav Breuer contributed to this article.