Rival of Israeli prime minister warns of US Capitol style riot after election

Al-Monitor Staff

Mar 18, 2021

Election campaign posters of Israel's Yisrael Beiteinu party bearing a portrait of its leader Avigdor Liberman (L), the Likud party showing its leader and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (bottom-R), and opposition party leader Yair Lapid (top-R) hang on a construction site in the Israeli central city of Bnei Brak, on March 14, 2021. - On March 23, the Netanyahu faces his fourth re-election contest in less than two years, after repeatedly failing to unite a coalition behind him, despite his devot — Election campaign posters of Israel's Yisrael Beitenu party bearing a portrait of its leader, Avigdor Liberman (L); the Likud party showing its leader and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (bottom-R); and opposition party leader Yair Lapid (top-R) hang on a construction site in the Israeli central city of Bnei Brak, on March 14, 2021. On March 23, Netanyahu faces his fourth reelection contest in less than two years after repeatedly failing to unite a coalition behind him despite his devoted right-wing base. — JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

A rival to the Israeli prime minister claimed that a riot similar to the Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol could occur in Israel soon, according to Israeli media. The comments came ahead of Israel’s contentious election next week.

Avigdor Liberman claimed that supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are planning an event similar to the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of former US President Donald Trump should Netanyahu lose the election. The head of the secular nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party did not offer evidence for his claim, The Times of Israel reported on Thursday.

Netanyahu said he would accept the election results in response to Liberman’s claim, even if he loses. “What can I do, cry?” said the prime minister, according to Israel Hayom.

Israelis will head to the polls again on March 23 for the fourth national election in two years. The election was set by the government following the collapse of the coalition between Netanyahu’s Likud party and Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party.

Rival of Israeli prime minister warns of US Capitol style riot after election

Avigdor Liberman claimed without evidence that supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are planning an event similar to the Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol if Netanyahu loses next week’s election.

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