Avigdor Liberman is making a big change in his political strategy. For a long time, he said he would never work with the Haredi parties. These are Israel’s ultra-Orthodox religious parties.

Now, he is saying he might be flexible.

Why the change? Liberman wants to form a new government that does not include Benjamin Netanyahu. To do that, he needs more seats in parliament. He knows he cannot get enough support on his own. He needs to team up with people he previously disagreed with.

For many years, Liberman and the Haredi parties have fought over the issue of military service. The Haredi parties want their community to be exempt from serving in the army. Liberman has always insisted that everyone should serve.

By saying he is open to talks, Liberman is showing that he is willing to put his old arguments aside. He believes that removing Netanyahu from power is more important right now than winning the battle over military service rules.

Opposition leaders are watching this move closely. If Liberman can actually make a deal with the Haredi parties, it could change the whole political landscape in Israel. It could be the final step needed to build a coalition that replaces the current government.

Source: The Jerusalem Post