Kadima chairwoman and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni has closed the door entirely to Likud chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu, who was given the responsibility to form a new government. Following yesterday's inconclusive meeting in Jerusalem last night, the two agreed to meet again.
After the meeting, Netanyahu said, "We agreed to meet again to try to find a common path."
Livni said, "He asked for another meeting, and we arranged it." She added, "We failed to reach an agreement. There are still substantial differences. Unity, by definition, means a common path, and it is therefore important to examine whether there is a common path, or two separate ones."
Livni said that there were substantial differences over the peace process on the basis of two states for two peoples, and over Netanyahu's promises to Shas. She also mentioned the system of government.
Netanyahu said that he wanted Kadima in his government. "I will make every effort to set up a national unity government. It is both imperative and the will of the people. There are different approaches to various issues, but I believe that they can be overcome with goodwill." He added, "I believe that responsibility to the nation will ultimately win out, and a way will be found to join hands for the good of the country."
Netanyahu met Labor Party chairman and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak this morning and later convened the Likud MKs.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 23, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009