Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., February 22, 2009 Shvat 28, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:20 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  15
Livni to Haaretz: I may consider a Likud-Yisrael Beitenu coalition
By Yossi Verter, Mazal Mualem and Yuval Azoulay
Tags: Likud, Israel News 

Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni will not join a government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu that would include Shas, Habayit Hayehudi and National Union, but she would be willing to consider a Likud-Kadima-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition, she told Haaretz on Thursday.

President Shimon Peres is expected to meet separately Friday with Netanyahu and Livni to try to promote a broad coalition that would include Kadima.

But Thursday, 65 MKs - all the right-wing and religious factions - recommended to Peres that he appoint Likud's Netanyahu to form the coalition, and Peres is expected to ask Netanyahu on Sunday to do so.
Advertisement
The left wing and Arab parties declined to make a recommendation.

Livni said Netanyahu was "asking us to join a coalition that he would first establish with Shas, which demanded that I stop negotiating with the Palestinians, and with Habayit Hayehudi and National Union, and with Bibi [Netanyahu] himself, who meanwhile refuses to talk about a two-state solution." She said she would not be able to explain to her voters what she was doing in such a coalition.

Lieberman told the president he would like to see a "trio" coalition of all three big parties. He said a narrow coalition was "a possibility" but that it would constantly have to fight for its survival.

Livni said she has the full backing of her Knesset faction. "Netanyahu wants us to stabilize the government. He won't get us. This is a coalition that will damage the country. It won't be stable, but I won't be there to save Bibi from himself and his partners," she said.

"I hear I'm being offered veto power; Kadima didn't come out the largest party to veto moves in the coalition, but to lead them."

Sources close to Netanyahu have said over the past few days that Kadima might receive two senior ministerial portfolios: foreign affairs and finance, and Livni would be deputy prime minister.

In the face of criticism from party MKs over her talks with Lieberman, Livni said she had tried unsuccessfully to persuade Lieberman not to recommend anyone to the president, and the two parties had almost nothing in common. "I did what I had to do. I am going to the opposition," she said.


Related articles:
  • Livni to Kadima: We're going to the opposition
  • Mitchell: U.S. committed to Israel security, Palestinian state
  • Indyk: Netanyahu may seek Syria deal to deflect U.S. pressure
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    North under fire
    Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel.
    Drama in Dubai
    Venus Williams hails 'brave' Peer after winning Dubai tourney.
      1.   Wimping out 02:28  |  Amos 20/02/09
      2.   That was fast 03:07  |  Student 20/02/09
      3.   No to Kadima 03:10  |  Ralph levy 20/02/09
      4.   The problem of creating a reasonable majority 03:13  |  Giora 20/02/09
      5.   Livni vs Shas 03:20  |  Brod 20/02/09
      6.   Fateh for Israel, Likud For west bank, Livni for Gaza 04:01  |  hasagazaxchromosome 20/02/09
      7.   The 2 parties had nothing in common???? 06:16  |  Marty 20/02/09
      8.   Israely first 09:20  |  Solomon 20/02/09
      9.   Shame 09:27  |  Faraz 20/02/09
      10.   Livni is in danger to loose Kadima and more.. 09:34  |  Kris Lazar 20/02/09
      11.   Hope Tzipi seriously considers joining... 09:41  |  Esther 20/02/09
      12.   Student #2...that`s just called sobering up... 09:46  |  Esther 20/02/09
      13.   Re #6... all power to the Y-chromosome... 09:49  |  Esther 20/02/09
      14.   She was a fig leaf for Sharon, why not Netanyahu? 09:55  |  peacelover 20/02/09
      15.   #5 Brod 10:15  |  Chris Linthwaite 20/02/09
     Read & React
    Hamas: Israel picked 'most dangerous' politician to lead it
    Responses: 41
    Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel
    Responses: 32
    Senior Kadima official hopes for 'broad' coalition
    Responses: 52
    Ariel Zilber: Ehud Olmert, we'll miss you
    Responses: 33
    Why Israel's rejection of 'peace' hospital offer angered Turkey
    Responses: 34


    More Headlines
    01:18 France to send top envoy to Iran for talks on nuclear program
    21:56 Arab states to probe Gaza war crimes allegations
    23:10 Qassam rocket hits near Ashkelon; no casualties
    21:48 Diplomats: U.S. backs Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks
    19:28 Durban II drafts: Israel is racist, occupying state
    22:47 Senator Kerry: Syria willing to help achieve Palestinian unity
    16:02 Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel
    22:29 Venus Williams hails 'brave' Peer after winning UAE tourney
    23:12 Top policeman killed in roadside accident north of Tel Aviv
    20:22 Hamas: Some prisoners freed for Shalit may be settled in Syria
    20:15 Ex-German chancellor tells Iranians 'Holocaust a fact'
    19:50 What is behind Turkey's antagonism toward Israel?
    17:23 Hamas asks Obama to deal with Palestinians fairly
    09:20 Gideon Levy / 'Antiwar' film Waltz with Bashir is nothing but charade
    16:49 Egypt beefs up security on Gaza border, fearing breach attempt
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved