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Netanyahu, Livni fail to reach coalition deal, but agree to meet again
By Barak Ravid and Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Tzipi Livni 

Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni failed to come to agreement on various issues that would allow for the formation of a national unity government, though the two party heads did agree to meet again later this week following their sit-down in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Speaking last night to reporters after their first meeting since the February 10 election, Livni said there are still "profound differences" between the two parties' positions on the peace process and talks with the Palestinians. "I will be taking Kadima into the opposition," she said. "Netanyahu has asked for another meeting  and I agreed. As far as I am concerned, this meeting has changed nothing."

"In the coming days, I will make an effort to form a national unity government in light of the significant challenges the State of Israel faces," Netanyahu told reporters. "This is what is needed now and this is the nation's desire."
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Netanyahu hinted at the disagreements that emerged between him and Livni during their talks. "In my view, we can bridge the gaps on various issues with good will," he said. "But if people look for a way not to, they find it. It is possible and it is necessary to find a common way."

Netanyahu said he is convinced that the people want a unity government and that he "hope[s] to find the way vis-a-vis the leadership of Kadima and the Labor Party."


Livni met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday for talks on forging the government coalition. This was the first time the two have met since the February 10 elections, in which both Livni and Netanyahu claimed victory.

Netanyahu was expected during the meeting to try to convince Livni to join a coalition under his leadership.

The political establishment assessed that Netanyahu would offer Livni "full partnership" in such a coalition, including cooperative wording of the Basic Law, as well as three top ministerial portfolios - defense, foreign affairs, and finance.

Livni said Sunday before the talks that her Kadima party was unwilling to compromise on its path for peace just to join the government coalition.

"The choice is between the advancement and actualization of a vision for two states for two peoples or losing our path in this realm," she told Kadima members following her meeting with Netanyahu, who was chosen Friday to forge a coalition government.

"If we [Kadima] compromise in order to be partners in a government which has a path that is not our path, it will be betraying the confidence of voters," she said.

In a statement release following the faction meeting, Kadima lawmakers said acceptance of the party's centrist policies on peace and domestic issues was "a condition for [the party] joining any unity government."

Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged political leaders during the weekly cabinet meeting to put together Israel's next coalition government "as quickly as possible."

"I call on all those involved and who will be involved in the coalition negotiations to work efficiently and quickly in order to form - as quickly as possible - a government that will enjoy full authority and that will be able to govern effectively," said Olmert.


Likud leader Netanyahu warned on Sunday that he would not be bullied into forming a unity government.

"Unity can be achieved by dialogue, not by dictates, not by arm-wrestling," said Netanyahu. "That's what we will do today - we'll begin the effort to join hands, first with Kadima, and tomorrow with the Labor Party."

Livni has vowed since the elections she will not join a government that does not advance the peace process.


Netanyahu added: "I have no doubt that whoever sees the state's best interest will place unity as a central goal.... A real attempt needs to be made to reach a joint position, out of mutual respect and real discussion."

Sources familiar with negotiations between right-wing Likud and centrist Kadima, meanwhile, claim Netanyahu is set to offer Livni "full partnership" in the future cabinet.

Kadima won 28 of the 120 available seats in the Knesset during the national elections two weeks ago, beating Likud with its 27 seats.

But President Shimon Peres on Friday tasked Netanyahu with forming the next government, due to strong backing from the right, while Kadima has been unable to win support from leftist parties Labor, Meretz and the Arab factions.

A coalition needs a minimum of 61 seats, which under Israel's electoral system means courting smaller parties to shore up a government.

At the cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, Olmert lauded Peres's decision to tap Netanyahu, saying that Israel needs a strong and stable government to contend with the challenges it faces.

"Forming a coalition is, in effect, laying the foundation upon which the State of Israel will stand in the coming years," Olmert said. "Therefore, and for the benefit of the Israeli people, I would like to congratulate MK Benjamin Netanyahu and wish him success."

Reluctant to lead a coalition perceived as far-rightist by the international community, sources involved with negotiations say Netanyahu will also ask Kadima to help draft the framework for new government policy.

Infrastructure Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) on Sunday urged Kadima to join the coalition, but Kadima minister Meir Sheetrit said such a move would mean the end of the centrist party created by former prime minister Ariel Sharon in 2005.

In a message that political analysts interpreted as designed to increase the trust between the parties, Netanyahu has said he will suspend talks with other coalition partners - including the ultra-Orthodox and rightist parties - until after he concludes his talks with Livni.

Netanyahu's associates say he intends to offer Kadima two of the government's most prominent portfolios, from among the defense, finance and foreign ministries. The associates described this as "unprecedented in its generosity."

Livni came under pressure from senior members of her own party over the weekend to agree to consider a unity government with Netanyahu, with one party member slamming her for "leading Kadima into the opposition without even hearing Netanyahu's offer."

Shaul Mofaz, whom Livni narrowly beat in the party primary, has so far refrained from denouncing Livni in the media. But based on accounts of his conversations with Knesset members and ministers, he is accusing Livni of "rushing to the opposition."

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

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      1.   OLDMERT,YOU ARE SICKENING AND I CAN`T WAIT TILL YOU ARE OUT OF 12:00  |  glenna 22/02/09
      2.   Without unity, there can never be peace. 16:04  |  Stephen. 22/02/09
      3.   Bullying done by both right and left... 16:06  |  Esther 22/02/09
      4.   OY vey, the end of the party!!!! 16:38  |  Zev Davis 22/02/09
      5.   And what about extortion and arm-twisting... 16:44  |  Esther 22/02/09
      6.   Leftovers? 17:21  |  Chrisona 22/02/09
      7.   Netanyahu wont be bullied since he has been a pushover anyway 18:11  |  Avram 22/02/09
      8.   Lieberman finds himself on the outside after asking for to much 18:26  |  Silver 22/02/09
      9.   Do I understand right? 18:39  |  WMR 22/02/09
      10.   Livni - a TRUE zero... When she was Likud MK, she was constantly 18:47  |  Eldan 22/02/09
      11.   Do it. Choose Defense and Foreign Ministry 20:14  |  Sharon 22/02/09
      12.   Re Zev #4 23:03  |  Esther 22/02/09
      13.   Likud, Kadima and Labor should make the next government.......... 23:05  |  The Bedouin 22/02/09
      14.   Likewise, if Netanyahu includes Kadima, he`ll be betraying 23:07  |  Yaakov K. 22/02/09
      15.   I hope for unity 23:14  |  Yehuda 22/02/09
      16.   Bibi and Livni 23:42  |  Dik 22/02/09
      17.   The Bipartisan Party Clings To Israel By Throat 23:43  |  UsedToPostHere 22/02/09
      18.   They won`t agree 00:13  |  The Insider 23/02/09
      19.   # livni IS considering israel`s "best interest", stephen... 09:53  |  eric 23/02/09
      20.   remake of "purse or life" - "throne or I bring enemy bayonets" 14:33  |  Miron 23/02/09
      21.   re: eric 04:02  |  UsedToPostHere 24/02/09
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