Avigdor Liberman

In a radio interview in which he opposed the agreement between the United States and Iran, he said that as prime minister he would order the Mossad to work only on bringing down the Iranian regime.

“If I were prime minister, I would summon the Mossad director and tell him: 'Don't deal with anything else anymore, except toppling the Iranian regime,'”

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With liberty

Opposing a deal with Tehran and calling for action to remove the regime is pressure on the Islamic Republic.

As defence minister, during street protests in Iran, he published a post in Persian addressed to Iranians, saying their rulers were spending the country's money on armed groups abroad while they struggled to buy bread.

“Even last month, when you were fighting for your bread in the streets of Tehran, Qassem Soleimani took several actions, including a logistical operation intended for Syria at the price of $70 million.”

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With liberty

Addressing Iranian protesters and taking their side against their rulers is speaking for Iranians.

As finance minister, asked in an interview about his position on the war in Ukraine, he did not condemn Russia and said Israel was taking a balanced line between the two countries.

“I am not for Russia, I am not for Ukraine, I am for Israel”

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Against liberty

Declaring neutrality between Kyiv and Moscow is the opposite of standing with Ukraine against Putin.

In the radio interview in which he opposed the agreement between the United States and Iran, he thanked the Americans and said he had no complaints against them, while saying the two countries' interests differ and that Israel can tell the American president no.

“I have no complaints against the Americans. There are people here who expect the US to act according to Israeli interests, but no. I thank the US for what they have done”

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Not clear either way

He thanks the ally and in the same breath urges standing against it on this point, so the words do not settle the measure.

He set as a condition for joining any coalition a draft law that requires every Israeli citizen to do military or civilian service, and rejected a partial exemption for young ultra-Orthodox men.

“There will be no exemption for 30%, 3%, or even a single person”

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With liberty

Demanding that everyone be drafted backs the conscription the country's army depends on.

As finance minister in a coalition that included the Islamic party Ra'am, he agreed with that party to fund 35 new state posts for Muslim imams, and his office said the money came from agreements made with Ra'am.

“The funds were anchored in agreements with the Ra'am party several months ago.”

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Against liberty

Governing with the Islamic party Ra'am and paying for its demands is working with an Islamic political organisation.

His party announced it would vote to disqualify the Islamic party Ra'am, along with the Joint List and two candidates, from running for the Knesset, saying any party that opposes eliminating Hamas has no place there.

“Therefore, we will vote in favor of disqualifying the Joint List, Ra'am, Ofer Cassif, and Sami Abu Shehadeh.”

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With liberty

Voting to bar the Islamic party Ra'am from parliament is acting against an Islamic political organisation.

As finance minister he changed the rules for state daycare subsidies so that families in which the father studies full time in a religious seminary and does not work no longer qualified.

“The decision I am presenting today is a very important step, and it changes the priorities in this country, placing first and foremost those who work and pay taxes.”

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With liberty

Ending a state subsidy that went to full-time religious students is ending a religious exemption paid for by the state.

His party drew up five principles it will insist on in any government, among them public transport and open businesses on the Sabbath by local decision, civil marriage and divorce, and repeal of the law that widened the powers of rabbinical courts.

“Tel Aviv will not impose Shabbat transportation on Bnei Brak, and Bnei Brak will not impose its way of life on Tel Aviv”

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With liberty

Civil marriage and ending religious control over transport and trade on the Sabbath take religious law out of public life.

As finance minister he said his budget would raise certain taxes, naming a higher purchase tax to cool the housing market and a doubling of the tax on disposable plasticware.

“Certain taxes will be raised to serve different economic goals.”

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Against liberty

Raising taxes to steer what people buy is higher taxation and more state direction of the market.

As finance minister he presented a plan that cut income tax for working parents and cut import duties on basic foods, furniture and kitchen equipment. The same plan also had the state pay a recent electricity price rise for low-paid workers and subsidise after-school care.

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With liberty

Lower income tax and lower import duties are tax cuts and freer trade.

As finance minister he ordered a review aimed at cutting the state budget of Ben-Gurion University after it allowed a student demonstration at which flags of the Palestine Liberation Organization were flown.

“Therefore, I instructed that the management of the university be examined for the purpose of activating my authority to reduce its funding.”

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Against liberty

Using a minister's power over funding to punish a university for what was said at a lawful protest is government pressure on speech.