Liberman says he’s best choice to lead a united right-wing party to challenge Netanyahu
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Hawkish opposition politician Avigdor Liberman says that he believes he is the most qualified to run a united right-wing front to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Responding to a question by a journalist ahead of his Yisrael Beytenu party’s weekly faction meeting in the Knesset, Liberman says he believes “in terms of experience, capabilities, and the ability to face all challenges I feel I am built better than the others.”
Speaking with Army Radio earlier in the day, Liberman made a similar claim, stating that he would insist “on the first place in the union not because of delusions of grandeur” but because he has “the most experience in the most positions.”
“I’m in favor of unifying everyone, but it has to be done right,” he continues, adding that he is “talking to everyone and we’re trying to make as many preparations as possible for that moment when there will be elections.”
According to a Channel 13 poll released on Sunday, a united right-wing front comprising Liberman, former prime minister Naftali Bennett, New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar and former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen would receive 34 seats if elections were held today.
Sa’ar stated last month that he was open to making concessions in order to establish a right-wing bloc in opposition to the current government, and Bennett has recently hinted at a political comeback.
Over the weekend, Channel 12 aired a poll in which, for the first time, more Israelis said they believe Bennett is better suited to be prime minister than incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu.
It is unknown what Cohen is planning or how a state committee of inquiry’s announcement that it is sending him a warning notice in relation to the so-called submarine affair will affect his viability as a candidate.