Livni says won't join Netanyahu-led government

[Scurrilous]

Kadima chairwoman ends meeting with prime minister-designate after Likud leader refuses to commit to two-state solution. 'This is a matter of principle,' Livni says, vowing to act as 'a responsible opposition'. Likud MK Sa'ar: Livni torpedoing unity out of personal motives

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3678490,00.html

<snip>

"Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni ended her meeting with Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, after the latter refused to include the "two states for two people solution" in his government's basic guidelines.

"Two states (one for the Israelis and one of the Palestinians) is not an empty slogan," Livni said as she left the meeting. "Unity is not just sitting in a government together. It also means sharing a way."

The two officials met at a Tel Aviv hotel for about two hours."

<snip>

"After the meeting Netanyahu said that even during the elections campaign he had promised to form a unity government.

"I appealed to Mrs. Livni and told her that. Unity calls for compromise. I was willing to make compromises in her favor – I proposed to her that we write the basic guidelines together, an equal number of portfolios, two out of three," he said.

"I said that I plan to promote negotiations (with the Palestinians) and I said that we would promote civil marriage and also a change of the governmental system. I believe the gaps can be bridged. I was met with complete refusal for unity on her part, and refusal to set up teams. I saw no willingness for unity in Livni," the Likud chairman added."

<snip>

"The Likud leader's associates made it clear before the meeting that he would not accept the "two states for two people" formula. Senior Kadima officials clarified that Netanyahu's commitment to a peace process was insufficient, stressing that the world now views the Annapolis process as the foundation of any negotiations.

"There is no other process apart from this one, and the saying that Netanyahu supports a diplomatic process is insufficient and will not serve as a basis for Kadima's inclusion in the government instead of an explicit statement addressing the process' nature," one of the Kadima officials said.

Knesset Member Tzachi Hangebi, one of Kadima's senior members, told Ynet before the meeting, "We are heading to the opposition, for certain. Something really dramatic will have to take place for this to change."

[Captain Hilts]

1. I wouldn't work with Nuts And Yahoos either. nt

[LeftishBrit]

2. Me neither..

Unfortunately, this may mean that Netanyahu rules in coalition with the real Nuts (Shas and other religious-right parties) and Yahoos (Beiteinu).

Or it may mean that Livni is still in with a chance - I hope so. She is very far from ideal; but much better than the Likud and other far-righties.