Liberman warns a theocratic state ‘is just around the corner’

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks at the Israel Bar Association conference in Tel Aviv, September 5, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman speaks at the Israel Bar Association conference in Tel Aviv, September 5, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, warns that Israel becoming a theocratic state is “just around the corner” following last week’s election.

Liberman was responding to Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich’s warning against Israeli soccer leagues playing games on Shabbat.

“A halachic state is just around the corner,” tweets Liberman. “Looks like Smotrich needs to give a kosher certificate to soccer games as well. I can only guess what the next step will be? At this rate, the World Cup games on Saturday will have to be seen only in reruns.”

“Smotrich: Soccer on Shabbat existed before you and will exist after you,” Liberman adds.

Following last week’s national vote, Liberman and the current coalition are expected to be replaced by a right-wing religious bloc including Smotrich and led by Likud chair Benjamin Netanyahu.

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