MembersIs Revenge Behind Israel’s Third Election?

Avigdor Liberman’s suggestion to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in exchange for him leaving politics sounds like a noble gesture. Let him “retire with dignity,” is the excuse Liberman gives for what turns out to be a vengeful course of action, that has thus far resulted in three elections in less than a year.

It is not lightly that Liberman is accused of being motivated by revenge. Nor is it just conspiracy theorists that hold such a view. With the third election in 12 months now officially scheduled, a growing number of journalists, commentators and columnists are drawing the conclusion that what drives Liberman is hate for Netanyahu. But why would such intense emotions be attributed to someone who was Netanyahu’s close advisor for years, one who for decades was a close political ally, who served under Netanyahu as Defense Minister?

Personal character certainly has something to do with it. As former MK Arieh Eldad said from personal experience, once you become Liberman’s enemy, you will always be his enemy. Liberman’s rivalry with Netanyahu goes back to 1999, when...