Responses were quick from all sectors to the resignation of Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beiteinu party from the government.
The Likud Party issued a statement praising Lieberman for leaving as a result of the government’s diplomatic initiatives. “The Likud calls at this time for the Shas party to leave the Olmert-Barak government in order not to serve a bridge for the division of Jerusalem and Israel’s return to indefensible borders.”
MK Rabbi Benny Elon (National Union) hoped Lieberman’s exit marked the beginning of the end for the Kadima-led government. “Lieberman’s resignation presents the beginning of the end of the horrible car wreck masked as the Olmert government. I call upon Shas and the Pensioners parties to take the additional step that will bring about the end of the government and resign immediately.”
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) said that Lieberman’s decision proved once and for all that he did not join the government because of the Iranian threat, or leave it because the threat has passed. “Lieberman has proven time and time again that he is the Prime Minister’s chewing gum – who uses him when he needs him and throws him away when he no longer has a use for him.”
Manhigut Yehudit (Jewish leadership) head and Likud Central Committee member Moshe Feiglin praised Lieberman’s decision and said that responsibility for the division of Jerusalem now lies solely with the Shas party. “It is not clear why Lieberman joined the Olmert government in the first place,” he said. “We can only hope that his resignation will be a first step toward rectifying the damage that his participation in the government has caused. From now, the responsibility for the division of Jerusalem lays squarely on the shoulders of Shas. ”
MK Chaim Oron (Meretz) expressed his hope that "Lieberman's resignation from the government removes an obstacle in the progress of the peace process."
Israeli Arab MK Mohammed Barakeh attacked Lieberman for his statement that Israeli Arabs are more of a threat to Israel than the PLO. “Lieberman's remarks today are an incitement to murder,” he said. “The man suffers from racist AIDS and should be cured outside politics.” Barakeh called on Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to outlaw Lieberman’s political party.
Fellow Arab MK Ahmed Tibi called on the international community to boycott Lieberman. "I feel deep contempt for Lieberman's remarks and beliefs,” Tibi said. "The international community must stop treating this terrible man with forgiveness and prevent his entry into democratic states, just like Austria’s [neo-Nazi politician] Joerg Haider.”