Tel Aviv, Israel – In a striking political escalation reflecting the deep divisions within the Israeli security and political establishment, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party and former defense minister, launched a scathing attack on the current government. He asserted that the only strategic objective to pursue is “regime change in Iran.” Lieberman emphasized that relying on any diplomatic agreements or international settlements is a losing proposition, stating, “We cannot depend on any agreement; the goal must be a radical change of the regime in Tehran.”
Lieberman, now one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fiercest critics, added that the current military and political moves lack a long-term strategic vision. He described them as “mere empty talk and not a serious investment” in Israel’s future security.
He expressed surprise at the absence of soft power in this confrontation. He also asked bitterly, “Why don’t we even have a strong Persian-language radio station to address the Iranian people? They couldn’t find the budget for it, but instead, they gave billions of shekels to religious dissidents and their relatives to ensure the survival of the governing coalition.”
These criticisms come at a time when Netanyahu’s premiership has witnessed unprecedented assassinations and security strikes targeting the top leadership of the “axis of resistance.” Israel has succeeded in eliminating some of its most prominent and long-standing opponents, including Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, as well as Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, the leaders of Hamas.
Operations related to this conflict have also targeted Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with hundreds of other senior leaders and thousands of members of these organizations. This has resulted in a significant leadership vacuum.
On the direct military level, Israel crossed traditional red lines. For the first time in 47 years, it directly attacked Iranian targets inside Iranian territory through two large-scale air campaigns. Despite these battlefield achievements, Lieberman believes that merely striking proxies or even launching direct strikes is insufficient as long as the head of the regime in Tehran remains in power. He also warned that Netanyahu’s policy of “conflict management” will only postpone a major confrontation instead of decisively resolving it in favor of Tel Aviv’s security.
