Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has significantly influenced Israeli politics through his right-wing, nationalist stances. After leaving Likud, he formed Yisrael Beiteinu in 1999, attracting mainly immigrants from Eastern Europe. Liberman has served as foreign minister and defense minister, often taking a hard line on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Liberman’s political career has been marked by controversy, including questioning the loyalty of Israel’s Palestinian minority and proposing policies perceived as discriminatory. He has, at times, been a kingmaker in coalition governments, advocating for secularist policies and a broad unity government.