Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu Positions Ahead of Israel’s 2026 Election

Yisrael Beytenu, founded in 1999 as a Likud splinter to represent Russian-speaking immigrants, now seeks a broader secular-liberal base while remaining right-of-center on security. The party is slated to run in the election for the 26th Knesset scheduled for October 27. In the 25th Knesset it held six seats and is currently polling for eight to ten seats. Leader Avigdor Liberman presents the party as the “pragmatic Right,” aiming to become a decisive force in coalition talks.

The Jerusalem Post

The party has repeatedly backed legislation for the death penalty for terrorists and championed civil marriage, expanded conversion options, public transportation on Shabbat, and removal of business restrictions on Shabbat. It also pushes for increased Haredi enlistment and universal conscription. On territorial issues, Yisrael Beytenu supports West Bank construction, advanced settlement housing as defense minister, and introduced 2025 legislation to apply Israeli sovereignty to Ma’ale Adumim and earlier bills on the Jordan Valley.

The Jerusalem Post

If the opposition bloc reaches the 61-seat threshold without Arab parties, Liberman could become a pivotal partner; a shortfall would limit coalition options because of his red lines. Yisrael Beytenu previously participated in the Bennett-Lapid government, which relied on the Ra’am party led by Mansour Abbas.

The Jerusalem Post

Born in Moldova and making aliyah in 1978, Liberman served as a parliamentary adviser to Netanyahu, director-general of Likud, and later held defense, foreign and finance minister posts. He resigned as defense minister in 2018 over a ceasefire with Hamas and has since advocated a tougher stance toward Iran. Since October 7, he has called for moving from “cycles without resolution” to “decisive outcomes,” naming Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas as top priorities. An agreement between Netanyahu and Liberman was signed in the Knesset on May 25 2016.

The Jerusalem Post

Liberman’s firm red lines and the party’s projected seat count give Yisrael Beytenu significant bargaining power in shaping a post-election government. Its secular-liberal agenda and hawkish security stance could influence coalition composition, the balance between religious and state affairs, and Israel’s policy toward regional adversaries.

The Jerusalem Post