Fact Fiction or Wishful Thinking? Ask Liberman.

Today’s edition of the English-language daily JERUSALEM POST had a major story which emanated from the mouth of our former Defense Minister, Avigdor Liberman.

He stated that a deal may be in place for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu by which he would resign from office in place of standing trial for his offenses prior to national elections in April.

Honestly, I cannot determine if this is a fact or fiction or simply Liberman’s wishful thinking. It is hard for me to believe that Bibi Netanyahu would voluntarily resign from the office which he has held longer than any previous head of government.

A resignation would be an admission of his guilt, something which is unthinkable for him. He would stand a better chance in a court trial where he and his attorneys could poke fun at the allegations against him and at the indictment which Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, supported by the police, will make public in a very few days.

Liberman resigned from his position as Israel’s Minister of Defense over his strong opposition to Netanyahu’s policy on Gaza, He declared that Prime Minister Netanyahu was showing weakness to the Hamas and Gazan terrorists and was angry that his recommendations were not favorably considered.

Avigdor Liberman is a good and strong politician. Yet I cannot understand the recent statement attributed to him concerning resignation rather than trial. Is it fact or fiction? Or is it a Liberman revenge?  Wishful thinking, perhaps.

This, in my opinion, has been the worst parade of nonsense… not only a parade but also a charade.

We have not experienced such discord and verbal abuse among legislators, candidates, and head of State in many years. What has caused it to appear on our political scene at this time?

In the case of the two Netanyahu’s, which trial will be first….  Sara’s or Bibi’s?

And thinking “dugri”, is it truly realistic that one or both of them, if found guilty, may be sentenced to a prison term?

I know that former leaders of our government have been imprisoned for major crimes they committed but while Sara and Bibi both acted stupidly and without ethical judgment, are their crimes so major that they would have to endure the severe punishment of imprisonment even for a short term?

Is Avigdor Liberman so angry and so bitter that this is what he wants to happen?

The name of the Netanyahu family has been written in the newspapers across the entire world. Their shame will never leave them. Their hands cannot be washed clean. But taking into consideration the great advances we have made under Bibi Netanyahu’s leadership, is there no room for some leniency?

Our economy is high. Our unemployment is low. Our diplomatic relations are better than they have ever been. We have recognition and communication with 160 nations, including some important Muslim states.

Netanyahu’s travels to Gulf State and Arab Muslim countries has opened a crack in the door of hostility against us.  Gradually, the door will be opened wider.

And for his efforts, we owe Prime Minister Netanyahu a debt of national gratitude.

As I have frequently written, I am not a member of the Likud party. I do not support Netanyahu’s policies vis-à-vis Gaza, Hamas or Hezbollah, nor his implementation of the Nation-State law which does not assure full equality to our minority citizens.. Muslims, Druze and Circassians..  Those are the facts.

I cannot know if Liberman’s statement is based upon fact or his own personal wishful thinking.

It is important that we convey the message to Avigdor Liberman. He must be told:

We have no time for fiction nor wishful thinking. We have time only for truth and justice.