Embattled but Undeterred

The stub of a well-smoked and thoroughly chewed cigar is plunked lit-side down in an ashtray on Avigdor Lieberman’s desk with a breath inhaler close at hand. A faint odor of tobacco still scents his Knesset office. The dark-blue drapes are pulled behind him. A television screen bolted to the wall is on without the sound as two Spanish League soccer teams battle to a scoreless deadlock late in the second half.

Lieberman tries not to act like a man living under a cloud even as he fights for his political life — and perhaps even for his freedom. In customary fashion he punctuates his answers with humorous stories from his personal experiences even as the clock winds down on an investigation that has lasted more than a decade. That probe may soon end in his indictment by an Israeli justice system that smells the sweet savor of victory. It is a battle that will not end in a draw but with a clear victor leaving a lasting impact on both Lieberman and perhaps Israel’s January 22 election.

“I’ve been under investigation for 16 years now. Life is good and I’ve gotten used to it like acclimating to changes in the weather” says Lieberman who still occupies Room 254 in the Knesset’s third-floor office suites reserved for cabinet officers even though the pending indictment forced him to resign asIsrael’s foreign minister.

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein was ready to charge Lieberman in mid-December with breach of trust and fraud. He delayed the indictment following a report onIsrael’s Channel 10 that the justice ministry had failed to interview some material witnesses in the case. Lieberman himself was called back to testify the day following our interview and the delay may result in an even more serious indictment.