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World Jewish News
Likud, Kadima hold informal coalition talks
14.03.2009
Officials from both Likud and Kadima have held back-channel discussions within the last 24 hours re-examining the possibility of joining forces in running the next coalition.
In their talks with the Likud, senior figures in Kadima have once again broached the idea of a rotational government whereby Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni would alternate the premiership.
Israel Radio reported on Friday that Kadima is open to an arrangement whereby Netanyahu and Livni agree to an "unequal" rotation. Such a scenario would have Netanyahu occupying the prime minister's chair for a longer period of time than Livni.
Livni associates and close aides to Netanyahu did not deny on Friday that informal talks were ongoing.
Yoel Hasson, a senior Kadima lawmaker, said the party "would be happy to renew unity talks" with Netanyahu, but on condition any joint government set Livni's goals as policy, which she has said included pursuing a two-state solution with Palestinians.
Netanyahu, who served as prime minister from 1996 to 1991, was seen as interested in an alliance with Livni to avoid colliding with Washington's diplomatic goals.
Netanyahu wants contacts with the Palestinians to focus on economic and security issues rather than territory, a concept Palestinian leaders reject.
Hasson of Kadima told Reuters there were growing concerns in both parties the ultra-nationalist coalition Netanyahu is building "would be one that nobody wants, it won't be stable."
"This would be a government that without a doubt could not follow the current global diplomatic agenda," of seeking a two-state peaceful solution between Israel and the Palestinians, Hasson said. "They (rightist lawmakers) wouldn't let Netanyahu advance with the American government or the Palestinians."
The latest reports of contacts for a possible union came as Netanyahu was reported to be facing obstacles in his efforts to forge a coalition with far-right and religious parties, some of whose representatives were making contradictory demands.
Netanyahu faces an April 3 deadline to form a government, after being named by President Shimon Peres last month to build a coalition following a parliamentary election held on Feb. 10.
Peres chose Netanyahu although Livni's Kadima party had outpolled Likud by one seat, 28 to 27, because he appeared to have the most potential allies with whom to form a government.
Last month, Netanyahu abandoned efforts to woo Livni into forming a broad coalition government.
The decision, which was made after negotiations ended in disagreement, forced Netanyahu to turn to rightist parties opposed to territorial withdrawals in peace talks with the Palestinians.
Livni has accused Netanyahu of being insufficiently committed to the U.S.-sponsored vision of a two-state solution - a future Palestine created in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories that Israel captured in the Six-Day War.
Источник: Haaretz
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