Legislation10/17/2026

Liberman Called for Barring a Defendant from Serving as Prime Minister

Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman Avigdor Liberman proposed that, after the 26th Knesset is sworn in, what is known as the “Defendant Law” be passed. The initiative is intended to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from being presented again as a candidate for prime minister, but at this stage it is only a political plan and not a law in force.

Key facts

•Initiator: Avigdor Liberman
•Party: Yisrael Beiteinu
•Proposed stage: the 26th Knesset
•Procedure: approval in three readings
•Status: political initiative, not a law
•The Supreme Court previously permitted Netanyahu to continue serving as prime minister

What Liberman Proposed

Liberman declared that the new Knesset should first replace its speaker, Amir Ohana, and then pass the “Defendant Law” in three readings. According to the source’s description, such a law would bar a person charged with a criminal offense from serving as prime minister. Liberman links the initiative to the possibility of repeat elections, in which Netanyahu would no longer be able to run on behalf of Likud for the office of prime minister.

The Legal Complexity

The source notes that it is unclear whether such a law would withstand review by the High Court of Justice. One possible obstacle is the initiative’s personal nature, because it is directed against Netanyahu. The Supreme Court previously ruled that Netanyahu may serve as prime minister despite the indictment filed against him.

The Political Context

Liberman opposes a minority government, including an interim government, and insists on establishing a “Zionist majority government.” He stated that Likud without Netanyahu could be a significant partner, but ruled out his party’s participation in a government headed by Netanyahu. These statements were made against the backdrop of pre-election disputes within the change bloc.

The Law Has Not Yet Been Passed

The article does not report that a bill has been submitted, provide its exact wording, or indicate that a parliamentary process has begun. Nor has a court issued a final ruling on the constitutionality of the proposed norm. Therefore, the existing legal situation has not yet changed as a result of the initiative described.

What this means for you

For Israeli residents, nothing changes at present: the described prohibition has not yet been passed and is not in force. If the initiative becomes law, it could restrict the ability of a person against whom a criminal indictment has been filed to serve as prime minister, but its content and implementation would depend on the final wording and possible review by the High Court of Justice.

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