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.
Your next read: ToI Editors' Picks
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Join The Times of Israel Community today and you'll receive a physical book of your choice, carefully curated by our editors.
Choose between two must-reads: When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, a searing portrait of a mother’s grief and strength following unthinkable tragedy;
Or Out of the Sky: Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe by Matti Friedman, the gripping and surprising tale of a forgotten moment during World War II.
As a Community member, you’ll also enjoy our DocuNation series of outstanding Israeli documentary films, an ad-free experience of our site and podcasts, commenting privileges, and more.
CHOOSE YOUR BOOK
CHOOSE YOUR BOOK
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this