Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., February 23, 2009 Shvat 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:18 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage 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

Yossi Sarid / Kadima-Likud union is only a matter of time By Yossi Sarid Tags: benjamin netanyahu  This morning the coalition negotiations will begin, on orders from the president. The first meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni will not produce a government. One does not descend from a tall tree in a single jump, and Kadima is a party as full of principles as a pomegranate. At the end of the meeting, the two will issue a joint statement: They have decided to meet again in the coming days. But those who cannot bear the tension can read here what the coming event-packed week will bring: You will be the first to know the happy ending. Like in a chess game, much depends on the opening moves. If Netanyahu plans his strategy wisely, he will opt to open with a gambit - a move that tempts one's opponent to abandon his place at the center of the board. As for the queen, there are those who think it is actually Dalia Itzik, not Livni. If Netanyahu opens by offering Itzik the post of Knesset speaker, he will gain an immediate advantage, and the negotiations will hit the highway. The executive branch will thus be headed by a member of Likud, while the legislature will be headed by a member of Kadima. This arrangement is no whit inferior to rotation, they will explain; it is even a bit better - a full sharing of responsibility. "Responsibility" is the name of the game now, and over the next week, everyone will cite it, including the media. On Friday, the outgoing and incoming Knesset speaker was already declaring that there was something to talk about; the Knesset shall not be left a widower. Advertisement After Kadima's united front begins to crack, two more moves will break it wide open. Livni will be offered the Foreign Ministry, and Shaul Mofaz - and this is the main thing - will be offered the Defense Ministry. The decision will not be long in coming: The party institutions will be convened without delay, Livni will be presented as the next prime minister after this one, and applause will ring out as the agreement is approved almost unanimously. A few embittered pawns will remain in the field here and there, but the rooks and knights will be satisfied. It will not take very long before the longed-for government arises. And for the who-knows-how-many-eth time, we will once again discover that life is not black and white like a chessboard; it is not either Livni or Netanyahu. And the need to save the nation takes precedence over a different kind of politics; that can be put off to another time. Related articles: Senior Kadima official hopes for 'broad' coalition Coalition building / Netanyahu threatened and Lieberman blinked Livni to Kadima: We're going to the opposition Bookmark to del.icio.us   A friend of Obama's Netanyahu pledges to work with U.S. in path toward Middle East peace. Durban II drafts Resolutions for UN summit brand Israel as an occupying state with racist policies.   1.   EVERYBODY READ THE TRUTH 03:57  |  tan skinned American 22/02/09   2.   Good analysis 04:01  |  Jane 22/02/09   3.   Sarid knows what he`s talking about! 05:22  |  Sandy 22/02/09   4.   Kadima-Likud "saving the nation", you must be kidding....... 10:08  |  Swiss (Dino) 22/02/09   5.   Heartfelt thanks, Yossi Sarid 10:31  |  Esther 22/02/09   6.   Let it be 10:43  |  Just Me 22/02/09

Read & React Durban II drafts: Israel is racist, occupying state Responses: 148 Ex-spymaster: First Lebanon War was a Mossad success Responses: 43 France to send top envoy to Iran for nuclear talks Responses: 38 Qaida founder blasts successor bin Laden for 'immoral terror' Responses: 27 Olmert apologizes for Virgin Mary television spoof Responses: 35 More Headlines 00:25 Netanyahu, Livni fail to reach coalition deal, but agree to meet again 23:52 Cairo bombing kills French tourist, wounds 20 others 22:28 PMO lodges complaint against top defense official for criticizing Olmert on Shalit deal 19:17 Iran to begin operation of first nuclear power plant 18:04 Netanyahu vows to work with Obama for peace 23:40 Barak reportedly lobbying Laborites to back joining Netanyahu-led coalition 20:48 Will 'Waltz with Bashir' win Israel's first Oscar? 19:45 IN PICTURES: Jerusalem family gets an unusual pet 17:43 WATCH: Bar Refaeli says Sports Illustrated cover was dream come true 21:32 Palestinian Christians urge Pope to call off May visit to Israel 23:32 Extreme rightist banned from home of IDF West Bank commander 18:03 Gaza militants fire Qassam rocket, mortar rounds at Israel 14:50 Olmert apologizes for Virgin Mary television spoof 16:42 Hamas sentences accused Israel collaborator death by firing squad 23:31 Study: One-third of Israeli children live below poverty line Previous Editions Select Day 22 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 16 feb 15 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 09 feb

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