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World Jewish News
Top Likud members: Netanyahu can't let Lieberman run Israel
27.02.2009
Benjamin Netanyahu will not meet all of Avigdor Lieberman's conditions for bringing Yisrael Beiteinu into a Likud-led government, associates of the Likud chairman said Thursday. "Netanyahu cannot let Lieberman run the country," explained one. "There's a limit. He can't have the Justice Ministry, the Public Security Ministry and on top of that the Foreign Ministry or the Finance Ministry."
Lieberman has demanded that Knesset members from his rightist party be given either the foreign affairs or the finance portfolio in addition to the Public Security Ministry, which oversees the police. He has also demanded that the incumbent justice minister, Kadima appointee Daniel Friedmann, remain under Netanyahu.
Friedmann's term, during which he tried but largely failed to promote far-reaching reforms of the justice system, was marked by unprecedented controversy and public disputes with some of Israel's most senior judges. Lieberman, an outspoken critic of the judicial establishment, has frequently expressed support for Friedmann's efforts.
But the fact that Lieberman is under criminal investigation for alleged financial irregularities prompted critics from across the political spectrum to oppose allowing him to choose the ministers responsible for the police and the court system.
"It is improper for a man who is under several criminal investigations to appoint the justice minister," a source close to Netanyahu said. "Lieberman should understand that instead of making this more difficult, but it seems he is acting out of spite."
Yisrael Beiteinu is Israel's third-largest party, having won 15 seats in parliament in the February 10 election. Under any circumstances, it would thus be important for Netanyahu, who - despite having been tapped to form the next government - is only the head of the second-largest party, with 27 Knesset seats.
What has made Lieberman essential, however, is Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni's refusal to bring her party's 28 Knesset members into a Netanyahu-led coalition. If she sticks to her decision to head for the opposition benches, Netanyahu's only option is a 65-seat rightist coalition, which Lieberman's 15 seats can make or break.
"It can't be helped, and we need to get used to the fact that Lieberman will be a substantial force in the government, with five portfolios," another source close to Netanyahu said. "Lieberman has 15 important seats under his belt. He has been given power by the people and he can't be waved off. Even Livni negotiated with him."
Lily Galili and Tomer Zarchin contributed to this report
Источник: Haaretz
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