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Last update - 14:11 13/10/2008
Netanyahu to Shas: Don't join Livni, she'll give up Jerusalem
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu 

Likud Chairman and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday met with the spiritual leader of the Shas Party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, and asked him to instruct the Shas leaders not to join the coalition currently being constructed by prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni, because she will "give up Jerusalem."

Livni was elected the leader of the ruling party Kadima last month, narrowly beating out rival Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, and was then tasked with assembling a government coalition within a 6-week timeframe, which will expire in approximately three weeks. If she succeeds in recruiting a majority of 61 MKs to her coalition, to which Shas is key, she will be named prime minister. If she fails, general elections will be called.

Netanyahu has recently stepped up efforts to dissuade Shas from entering into Livni's coalition. Netanyahu is seen as a likely winner should general elections be called, and is therefore interested in foiling Livni's efforts.
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In an interview published over Yom Kippur in the Shas-linked weekly magazine "Miyom Leyom" (from day to day), Netanyahu promised that if he wins the next elections, Shas will be the first party he will invite into his coalition.

Livni, for her part, reiterated her call Sunday for Netanyahu and his Likud party to join her government. Likud representatives rejected her call, with Netanyahu's close associates saying it was a "shame that Livni is trying to circumvent the public demand for general elections."

"Stability will be achieved only after elections and the establishment of a wide coalition for the duration of the four-year term, not for the short term," one associate said.

Likud faction chairman Gideon Sa'ar said that "Livni and Kadima are taking advantage of the economic crisis to advance politically. Instead of speaking on behalf of the people, Livni must ask for the people's trust, and that is something that can only be achieved through elections. The attempt to hang on to a faltering government based on a narrow coalition and members that eye elections won't allow her to tackle the challenges that face our country today."

Meanwhile, a coalition agreement coalition agreement to bring the Labor Party into the coalition appeared to be nearing a conclusion after a negotiating session late night. A draft agreement was formulated Sunday following major progress in talks between Labor Party chairman Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Livni.

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      1.   What Bibi avoids mentioning.... 13:23  |  Esther 13/10/08
      2.   Netanyahu is right 15:47  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 13/10/08
      3.   #1 and #2 16:36  |  DS 13/10/08
      4.   #1 Esther. Times have changed. We aren`t ceding our land. 16:50  |  Chaim 13/10/08
      5.   Elections NOW 17:01  |  Great White North 13/10/08
      6.   One, Two, Three: Confederacio! 18:16  |  Fritz T. 13/10/08
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      8.   Chaim calls for civil war within Israel... 18:43  |  BBSNews 13/10/08
      9.   New elections now. Let the people decide who is PM 18:48  |  Livin In Rishon 13/10/08
      10.   Too bad that Shas isn`t concerned by the fate of Jerusalem 19:53  |  Alex 13/10/08
      11.   #8, No He Is Not ! 22:12  |  Gary 13/10/08
      12.   Jerusalem must be shared, one state or two. 23:03  |  Ivar 13/10/08
      13.   The Suicide Bombers are the signature ;this is a Religious War. 00:12  |  Akram Zekaria 14/10/08
      14.   For all those detractors... 00:44  |  Esther 14/10/08
      15.   A Nobel Politician Sets the Example 05:42  |  Steve 14/10/08
      16.   Uhhh Gary, you had better catch up on your reading... 06:27  |  BBSNews 14/10/08
      17.   Jeusalem should not be up for negotiation. 07:54  |  Jean Van Daem 14/10/08
      18.   So Steve, what`s your vision from a election? 07:57  |  BBSNews 14/10/08
      19.   Doesn`t matter who is the Israeli 10:56  |  Chris Linthwaite 14/10/08
      20.   you are so right BIBI;but that`s not all she plans to do to help 15:47  |  glenna 14/10/08
      21.   #8: Dream on! 19:42  |  Yaakov K. 14/10/08
      22.   #12, Sharing Jerusalem is not Possible 23:50  |  Gary 14/10/08
      23.   #16, You Better Get a Reality Check ! 23:55  |  Gary 14/10/08
      24.   if Bibi in the interest of the country its sheer coinsidence 20:14  |  Tom Lobo Meyer 26/10/08
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