Speaker Reuven Rivlin
Speaker Reuven RivlinIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Yisrael Beyteinu head MK Avigdor Lieberman’s ideology contradicts that of the Likud party, veteran Likud MK Reuven Rivlin and former Speaker of the Knesset, said Saturday night, speaking to Channel 10.

Rivlin responded to a question regarding the possibility that Lieberman could take over the Likud party.

“Lieberman is all about politics, nothing more,” Rivlin said. “The tie between Netanyahu and Lieberman is not based in ideology – because if it is, oy vey.”

“I told this to my colleagues in Likud as clearly as I could: ‘We were elected as a liberal Zionist movement, not a Lieberal Zionist movement,’” he added.

“When Lieberman says that we want the Arabs… drawing water and chopping wood, he is not reflecting Likud values,” Rivlin said.

Lieberman has called for Arab citizens of Israel to be required to serve in the IDF or perform civilian national service and to take a loyalty oath. He has also called to send anti-Israel Arab citizens to "Palestine."

Rivlin was also asked if he would consider running for president. “I’m not saying I won’t get involved, but there’s still time,” he said. “I was a candidate in the past.”

“If my colleagues ask me to run, I won’t let any side use me as a political tool in any way,” he declared. Current President Shimon Peres has been accused of politicizing the position of president, which in Israel is defined as largely ceremonial.