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Netanyahu's aides nix debate for now By Mazal Mualem Associates of Benjamin Netanyahu have given what appears to be a negative answer to the debate invitation that Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni extended to the Likud chief last week. "First Livni needs to debate herself and make up her mind on whether she's in favor of unilateral pullouts or not," a Netanyahu associate said. According to another: "Likud's chairman would be delighted to debate Livni, but only after she decides on whether she wants to cede East Jerusalem and return to the borders of June 4, 1967." Advertisement He added that "Livni flip-flopped across the political establishment this week when she substituted her former views, which resemble the platform of the left-wing Meretz party, with those of the hawkish Avigdor Lieberman from Yisrael Beiteinu." When Livni invited Labor chief Ehud Barak to participate in a debate, he was quick to accept. Talks of holding a debate in the current election campaign began six weeks ago, when Barak invited both Livni and Netanyahu to a series of debates on the economy, security and education. But no debates were held. Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz, who heads Labor's public relations committee, said Netanyahu was ignoring the invitation "because he's leading in the polls and is afraid of blowing it." A temporary substitute to a proper debate can currently be found on Channel 2's Internet site, where the television station and Youtube have launched an interactive platform allowing voters to ask questions to the three candidates. All three agreed to answer the questions in Channel 2's studios. Meanwhile, Channel 10 aired an interview with Naftali Spitzer, Livni's husband, who described the foreign minister's performance as a wife and mother. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Caught on camera IDF soldier arrested for allegedly shooting gun while rioting with settlers in Hebron. Kadima's election ploy New computer game pokes fun at Netanyahu's reluctance to debate Livni.

Read & React U.K. envoy: Fight against settlements not about boycotting Israel Responses: 140 Mubarak extends rare invite to Livni for talks on Gaza violence Responses: 48 Yoel Marcus: Have politicians pushing for Gaza war forgotten Lebanon debacle? Responses: 55 Olmert to Turkish PM: We must advance toward direct Israel-Syria talks Responses: 58 B. Chefetz: Security fence breeding new generation of suicide bombers Responses: 50 More Headlines 01:25 Israel partially opens Gaza crossings, as Hamas voices interest on renewing truce 21:23 Top Lebanon MP Hariri: Talks with Israel not in our national interest 01:25 Livni: Syria peace deal must be worth more than scrap of paper 22:04 Arab League chief urges member states to talk to Iran 19:26 Olmert orders Jerusalem-area separation fence built by 2010 01:26 IDF soldier detained for firing gun alongside rioting settlers 23:52 Livni and Netanyahu eye satire TV offers after Barak appears on 'A Wonderful Country' 00:43 Settler council appeals for ban on Geneva Initiative campaign 01:49 Olmert hearing over possible Rishon Tours indictment set for February 21:16 Kadima's latest election trick: Computer game targeting Netanyahu 18:22 Activists to sail from Lebanon in new bid to break Gaza blockade 18:46 French envoy: Palestinians given $3b in foreign aid in 2008 14:57 Lieberman: Decent defense minister could solve Gaza problem in 2 months 19:39 New York man admits he helped broadcast Hezbollah TV in U.S. store 16:12 Knesset panel: No raises in 2009 for MKs, salaries to stay at NIS 33,259 22:35 Tourist discovers trove of 1,300-year-old coins in Jerusalem's City of David 18:31 WATCH: How do YOU celebrate Hanukkah? Previous Editions Select Day 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec

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