Avigdor Lieberman

Following the April 2019 election, Lieberman refused to join a Netanyahu coalition unless a bill requiring greater conscription of ultra-Orthodox men was retained. The deadlock prevented the formation of a government and led the Knesset to dissolve itself for a second election that year.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

In November 2018, Lieberman resigned as Defence Minister and withdrew his party from the coalition, describing the ceasefire with Hamas as a "capitulation to terrorism". The decision weakened Netanyahu's government and accelerated the political crisis.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

During the 2015 campaign, Lieberman declared that those who opposed Israel should have their heads cut off "with an axe", in remarks directed in particular at Arab citizens considered disloyal. Adalah requested a criminal investigation for incitement to violence.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

The "Lieberman plan" proposed that an Israeli-Palestinian agreement should involve an exchange of territories and populations, with certain Arab areas of Israel transferred to a future Palestinian state while Israel retained certain settlement blocs. In 2014, his ministry sought a legal opinion on the proposal.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Lieberman was tried for fraud and breach of trust after being accused of favouring the career of diplomat Ze’ev Ben-Aryeh, who had passed him confidential information about an investigation concerning him. In November 2013, all three judges unanimously acquitted him.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

For many years, Lieberman was investigated over suspicions of corruption, money laundering, financial flows through companies and accounts linked to his family, and obstruction. In 2009, police recommended prosecution on several charges. In December 2012, the Attorney General ultimately closed the main financial case, considering the evidence insufficient to support the allegations.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Lieberman and Yisrael Beiteinu promoted a measure requiring citizens to swear loyalty to Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state. The proposal was denounced as discriminatory against the Arab minority and did not secure government support in its proposed form.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Lieberman admitted hitting a 12-year-old boy following an altercation involving his son. He was convicted and ordered to compensate the minor and pay a fine.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated