Tzachi Hanegbi Breaks With Likud to Back Avigdor Liberman

In a dramatic political shift that underscores growing friction within Israel's traditional right-wing establishment, Tzachi Hanegbi has formally announced his decision to withdraw support from Likud. Hanegbi, who served as Head of the National Security Council and held numerous ministerial positions during a political career spanning decades alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed that for the first time in his life, he will not cast his vote for the party that defined his political legacy. Instead, he plans to endorse Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party.

Hanegbi detailed his reasoning in a recently published opinion piece, articulating deep dissatisfaction with the present direction of Likud and the ruling coalition. His critique focuses on core policy choices that he argues diverge significantly from foundational national security and governance principles. Specifically, Hanegbi highlighted contentious issues such as the ongoing military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Israelis, rising nationalist crime, and repeated public attacks against Israel's legal institutions and judicial framework.

This decision marks a symbolic turning point in Israeli political dynamics. Hanegbi has long been considered an essential pillar of Likud's political elite, navigating critical national security challenges and legislative battles for over thirty years. By backing Liberman, a staunch right-wing figure who advocates for universal military conscription and secular right-leaning governance, Hanegbi aligns with a growing sentiment among traditional right-wing figures who feel alienated by the coalition's current compromises and governance priorities.

The public rift highlights broader political realignments as national security leaders evaluate their positions relative to the mainstream right-wing consensus. While the immediate parliamentary impact remains to be seen, Hanegbi's endorsement provides substantial political momentum to Liberman, who continues to position Yisrael Beytenu as a pragmatic, nationalist alternative to the current government configuration. The announcement signals that national security, judicial status, and civil equality in military service remain pivotal battlegrounds in Israeli public discourse.