Avigdor Liberman Leader of the party "Our Home Israel" Date of Birth: 05.06.1958 Country: Israel

1. Leader of Israel Our Home Party
2. Repatriate from the USSR
3. Entering Politics
4. Director-General of Likud
5. Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office
6. Leaving the Prime Minister's Office
7. Leader of Israel Our Home Party

Leader of Israel Our Home Party

"When I am asked," Avigdor Lieberman emphasized, "whether I am willing for Israel to make further concessions and territorial compromises, I answer clearly and unequivocally: I am not willing to give up one centimeter to shake Arafat's hand or for a lunch at the White House with President Clinton."

On November 23, 1997, Avigdor Lieberman resigned as Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office. His resignation was accepted the same day by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised Lieberman's work in an official statement. The Prime Minister stated, "I regret the resignation of my loyal friend, who has worked with me for many years. However, I cannot prevent his decision..."

Repatriate from the USSR

In Israeli society, there is a perception that "Russians" (i.e., repatriates from the USSR and Russia) are incapable of achieving political success. Critics argue that they face barriers due to language and the mindset instilled by the Soviet system. Avigdor Lieberman, a repatriate from the USSR, has shattered these stereotypes.

Born in Chișinău 40 years ago, Lieberman's family "never lost touch with its Jewish roots," as he recounted. His father joined the revisionist movement in his youth, and Lieberman became captivated by the ideas of Vladimir Jabotinsky, which the right-wing Likud bloc later adopted as its own.

Entering Politics

After graduating from university, Lieberman briefly worked for a commercial firm and in a hospital before getting involved in politics. He joined the Likud-affiliated student club "Kastel" and actively participated in political debates. He later met Netanyahu, who was then serving as Israel's representative at the United Nations, and assisted Netanyahu during his campaign for Likud's leadership.

Director-General of Likud

Following Netanyahu's election as Likud chairman, Lieberman was appointed Director-General of the party, which was on the brink of collapse. Through his leadership, he paid off debts, streamlined the party structure, and significantly boosted Netanyahu's popularity.

Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office

After Netanyahu's victory in the 1996 elections, Lieberman was appointed Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office. However, his appointment was met with fierce criticism from the Israeli media, which labeled him a "homo-Sovieticus." Despite these attacks, Lieberman remained a trusted advisor to Netanyahu and played a significant role in the formation of the government.

Leaving the Prime Minister's Office

In 1997, Lieberman resigned as Director-General to pursue other endeavors. He launched a campaign to challenge the so-called "Likud princes," a group of influential politicians who posed a potential threat to Netanyahu. Lieberman targeted the princes' control over the World Likud, an organization that had been used primarily as a pretext for foreign trips. By successfully capturing the presidency of the World Likud, Lieberman effectively weakened the princes' influence within the party.

Leader of Israel Our Home Party

In 1999, Lieberman founded the Israel Our Home Party (Yisrael Beiteinu), a right-wing party that advocates for a strong stance against terrorism and increased immigration from the former Soviet Union. Under Lieberman's leadership, Yisrael Beiteinu has become the third-largest party in the Knesset and a key player in Israeli politics.