Avigdor Lieberman

Below is a detailed profile of Avigdor Lieberman, an influential and controversial Israeli politician.

Avigdor Lieberman – Life, Career, and Position

Avigdor Lieberman (born July 5, 1958) is a Soviet-born Israeli politician, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, and former Foreign, Defense, and Finance Minister. Known for his hardline views on security and identity, he remains a pivotal player in Israel’s politics.

Introduction

Avigdor Lieberman is one of Israel’s most prominent—and polarizing—political figures. His rise from immigrant roots to the top echelons of Israeli power reflects both his personal tenacity and the shifting demographics and tensions in Israeli society. He often positions himself as a security realist and a secular nationalist, willing to break political norms and challenge both right-wing and left-wing orthodoxies. Whether admired or criticized, his role in coalition politics, defense, and foreign affairs has made him a kingmaker and disruptor in Israeli governance.

Early Life and Background

• Born July 5, 1958 in Chișinău, then part of the Moldavian SSR in the Soviet Union (today Moldova).

• His birth name was Evet Lvovich Liberman (Эвет Львович Либерман).

• His father, Lev, had been a writer, served in the Red Army during World War II, and was later exiled to Siberia under Stalin’s regime.

• His parents fostered a secular Jewish identity; until age three, Lieberman was taught Yiddish as his first language.

• As a youth, Lieberman developed an interest in Russian literature and artistic expression; at one point he won a prize for a play he wrote.

In 1978, at age 20, Lieberman immigrated (made Aliyah) to Israel with his family. He changed his name to Avigdor Lieberman upon arrival.

After arrival in Israel, he learned Hebrew (via an ulpan) and was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Due to his immigrant status, he served one year of active duty and later in the reserves. During his university years at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he worked in a student club (as a bouncer and later manager) to support himself.

Political Rise & Party Leadership

Entry into Political Life

Lieberman began to engage in political organizing and immigrant advocacy. With the waves of immigration from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, he positioned himself as a leader for Russian-speaking Israelis.

He initially aligned with Likud, serving as Director-General of the party and later in the Prime Minister’s Office under Benjamin Netanyahu. But in 1997 he resigned his post in protest against concessions made to the Palestinians.

Founding Yisrael Beiteinu

In 1999, Lieberman founded Yisrael Beiteinu (“Israel Our Home”) to serve primarily the Russian-speaking immigrant community and promote a strong security and nationalist agenda. Under his leadership, the party often became a "kingmaker" in coalition negotiations—its members sometimes tipping the balance in tightly contested governments.

Government Offices & Influence

Over the years, Lieberman has held several key ministerial and leadership roles:

Position	Years / Notes
Minister of National Infrastructure	2001–2002	Minister of Transportation	2003–2004	Deputy Prime Minister	2006–2008, and 2009–2012	Minister of Strategic Affairs	2006–2008	Minister of Foreign Affairs	2009–2012; 2013–2015	Minister of Defense	2016–2018 (resigned over Gaza truce)	Minister of Finance	2021–2022 In November 2018, Lieberman resigned as Defense Minister, citing disagreement with a truce deal with Hamas that he viewed as a capitulation to terror. Political Views, Controversies & Strategies Security & Palestinian Policy Lieberman is known for his uncompromising security stances. He has supported hardline measures against militant groups and has often criticized what he sees as weakness in policy toward the Palestinians. He is associated with the Lieberman Plan (2004), which proposed land swaps and transferring some Arab-populated areas in Israel to the Palestinian Authority, subjecting Arab Israelis in those areas to losing citizenship unless they pledge loyalty. Though labeled by many as right-wing or ultranationalist, Lieberman has occasionally endorsed certain territorial compromises (with land swaps) and has argued that he is not categorically opposed to a two-state solution under certain conditions. Secularism & Identity One of Lieberman’s major differences from many Israeli right-wing parties is his secularist orientation: he has repeatedly refused to join coalitions that cede significant power to religious parties. He has pressed for civil marriage, reduced religious coercion, and separation of religion and state in certain realms. Controversies & Legal Issues Lieberman is often a polarizing figure. Some of his statements—especially about Arab Israelis, cooperation with Hamas, or loyalty oaths—have drawn accusations of racism or incitement. In 2006, he once remarked that Arab Knesset members meeting with Hamas were "terror collaborators" and suggested they should face consequences similar to those in Nuremberg Trials—a statement widely condemned. He has faced legal investigations: in 2012, he resigned as Foreign Minister following allegations of fraud and breach of trust related to the promotion of a political ally. He also acknowledged a case in 1999 where he hit a 12-year-old boy (in relation to a dispute) and accepted a plea deal. Legacy & Impact Avigdor Lieberman’s political influence stems from a combination of demographic leverage, ideological clarity, and coalition shrewdness: He has given a political voice and bargaining weight to Israel’s Russian-speaking immigrant community, helping shift national politics. His party often acts as a decisive pivot in coalition formation—especially in closely divided Knesset elections. His insistence on secularism makes him a counterpoint to religious-nationalist forces in Israel. He embodies a strain of “realist security populism” in Israeli politics: direct rhetoric, focus on identity and loyalty, readiness to break alliances. Even when not holding office, his posture and bargaining power make him a critical actor in Israel’s political equations. Recent news about Lieberman Articles by the author People can choose between the sweet lie or the bitter truth. I say the bitter truth, but many people don't want to hear it. Avigdor Lieberman In Israel politics, four years is like 400 years in Europe. Avigdor Lieberman Home Topics Topics Age Quotes Alone Quotes Quotes of the day Authors Blogs