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The Zionist Union leader and a prominent party rival have accused each other of responsibility for Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman’s imminent appointment as Defence Minister.

Shelly Yachimovich, who led the Labour party before being defeated by leader of the Zionist Union Isaac Herzog, had publicly criticised the coalition talks between Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they unfolded last week. Several other senior Zionist Union MKs also publicly opposed joining the government, including Erel Margalit, Stav Shaffir and leader of the party’s Hatnuah faction Tzipi Livni. Some reports have indicated that the lack of solid support from within Herzog’s party was a key factor in the breakdown of talks with Netanyahu.

However, at a press conference yesterday evening, Herzog pointed the finger firmly at Yachimovich. He outlined generous conditions which he said Netanyahu verbally agreed to, but would crucially not put in writing. He then said that due to her opposition, Yachimovich “will be the stamp with which Lieberman will be appointed minister of defence, and she is responsible for the consequences of his appointment”.

He added: “My predecessor is leading a rude campaign, the person who begged to be in Netanyahu’s government in the past. Ironically, she led the Labour party without much success, and she has not learned her lesson.” Herzog then accused Yachimovich of a “far left” alliance with Meretz.

In response, Yachimovich said: “Herzog lied when he enumerated a fictitious list of agreements that never existed or happened.”

She commented that he also “lied when he talked about ‘begging for a ministerial portfolio’,” explaining that she had rejected a senior ministerial position “as I understood that we were talking about an embarrassing and unconditional crawl into the government”. Condemning Herzog, she added: “We have witnessed a miserable, depressing and unfortunate demonstration of lack of leadership and zero taking of responsibility from somebody who laid out the red carpet for Lieberman.”

Yachimovich is expected to challenge for the Zionist Union leadership, with Herzog considered under pressure from much of the party.