Liberman charges Netanyahu will sever Diaspora ties, cause war and ‘devastation’

Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman predicts devastation on multiple fronts if expected incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu manages to implement his planned policies and reforms, alleging that Netanyahu will be remembered historically as someone who “led the Nation of Israel to a Third Temple destruction.”

That is a reference to the two biblical temples that stood in Jerusalem, the second of which was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago; in some views the modern State of Israel represents a third one.

At a faction meeting, Liberman says the incoming coalition’s plans to alter the Law of Return, cancel the Western Wall compromise and outlaw non-Orthodox conversion would be a “severance of ties” with Diaspora Jewry.

Liberman predicts a diplomatic tide against Israel and economic devastation, claiming that “Netanyahu is sacrificing Israel in his attempt to evade his [corruption] trial.”

On the security front, Liberman says Netanyahu will become “adventurous” — likely a reference to starting a war or operation in Gaza or the West Bank — in an attempt to get rid of far-right allies and will hope to get Yisrael Beytenu and Benny Gantz’s National Unity party to join the government instead.

He did not explain his logic.

Liberman adds: “A person who wants to endanger Israel and will drag us to diplomatic adventures cannot be prime minister.”