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Last update - 15:18 24/02/2009 Livni, don't give in By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel News  Ever since she was elected Kadima's chairwoman, Tzipi Livni has spoken in the name of a "different kind of politics" that puts principles ahead of ministerial positions. She said her failure to form a government after Ehud Olmert's resignation was due to her refusal to compromise and accept Shas' diplomatic and budgetary demands. During the Knesset election campaign, she portrayed her race against Benjamin Netanyahu for the premiership as a battle for peace, declaring, "the dove is on the windowsill." Now, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is inviting Kadima to join his coalition, and he has promised the party senior portfolios plus partnership in drafting the government guidelines. His proposal puts Livni's principles to the test: Will she agree to be a junior partner in a coalition led by Likud, which she quit because of her support for the disengagement, or will she stick to her principles all the way to the opposition? Will she succeed in getting Netanyahu to moderate the hardline diplomatic positions he presented before the election? Advertisement At their meeting Sunday night, Livni demanded Netanyahu accept the two-state solution and agree in principle to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu has always opposed this, and still does. Six years ago, when he was finance minister in Ariel Sharon's government, he abstained in the cabinet vote that approved the road map, which calls for a two-state solution. Since then, his basic position has not changed. Netanyahu supports negotiations with the Palestinians, but he believes the focus should be on economic development in the territories, not on a final-status agreement, which he views as impractical. He also opposes withdrawing from most of the West Bank and insists on continuing to expand the settlements. If he accepts Livni's demands, Netanyahu will signal that he intends to conduct a moderate foreign policy that will be acceptable to the international community, at the price of driving away the parties to his right. If he insists on continuing the occupation, or conceals his positions behind obscurantist phraseology, Kadima must not join his government. Livni's public positioning of herself at the head of the Israeli peace camp during the election campaign, along with her insistence on a "different kind of politics," obligate her to stick to her principles - first and foremost her call to advance the negotiations with the Palestinians. If she is unable to influence the new government's diplomatic direction, she must lead the opposition and convince the public to support her path. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Spying for Hezbollah Israeli Arab is suspected of planning to spy on Israel for the terror group. Iran and the bomb There are conflicting reports on whether Tehran has enough material for nukes.   1.   No need for Likud Lite 04:57  |  Michael N 24/02/09   2.   Livni should resist Netanyahu`s overtures 07:48  |  Ann Fink 24/02/09   3.   We know what Livni is. Now stop haggling on the price. 14:37  |  Shlomo 24/02/09   4.   to Shlomo #3 16:43  |  zeev 24/02/09   5.   Get real! 17:27  |  Hans 24/02/09   6.   2 States illusion 17:55  |  amasrtin 24/02/09   7.   Livni the elections are over its time to go forward 18:16  |  Livin In Rishon 24/02/09   8.   DO THE RIGHT THING -- MOVE OVER 20:13  |  Jen 24/02/09   9.   Livni, Please Listen To Haaretz 20:52  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 24/02/09   10.   PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK 23:24  |  David 24/02/09   11.   Livni won the elections! 23:27  |  Moshe 24/02/09   12.   Three states, one country, make sense 05:58  |  Sardaukar 25/02/09   13.   Haaretz is right - Livni should not give in 04:30  |  David 01/03/09

Read & React U.S. officials' about-face on Iran nukes could sway Obama policy Responses: 22 Olmert orders Barak to act swiftly against rocket attacks Responses: 17 Iran urges Interpol to arrest 15 Israelis over Gaza 'war crimes' Responses: 14 Israeli Arab charged with spying for Hezbollah Responses: 17 Editorial: Israel must stop threatening Hamas Responses: 3 More Headlines 09:08 Mazuz: Olmert abused status to acquire personal favors 07:58 U.S. officials' about-face on Iran nukes could sway Obama policy 07:57 Olmert orders Barak to act swiftly against rocket attacks 08:01 PA seeks $2.7 billion from donor nations for Gaza recovery 09:59 EU agency: Most European states fail to track anti-Semitism 09:05 Lindsay Lohan said converting to Judaism for girlfriend Samantha Ronson 09:06 After Haaretz probe, IDF limits rabbinate activities 08:05 IDF unlikely to shorten army service due to drop in eligible conscripts 09:41 Egypt: Gaza donations to go through UN and World Bank 09:01 With Livni likely heading opposition, Barak may yet join Netanyahu coalition 09:06 Top Sephardi rabbi rules women may chant Scroll of Esther for men 09:00 Ex-NYC mayor Ed Koch picks own tombstone: 'My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish and I am Jewish' Previous Editions Select Day 01 mar 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 23 feb 22 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 16 feb

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