Tag Archives: knesset

Israel: Netanyahu fails to strike deal with Kadima

Israel’s next government is shaping up to be a narrow conservative coalition after designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to strike a deal on Friday with the moderate Kadima Party. “Unfortunately, I encountered a complete refusal for unity, a complete refusal to create joint teams to reach arrangements in order to find a common ground,” Netanyahu told reporters after meeting with Kadima leader, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. “I found no willingness for unity by Livni.” Israel’s other major moderate party, Labor, has already stated its unwillingness to join a government led by Netanyahu’s Likud Party.

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Netanyahu woos political adversaries

Days after being chosen to form the next Israeli government, Benjamin Netanyahu met with moderate party leaders in an attempt to lure them into a government under his leadership. Netanyahu, who heads the conservative Likud movement, made no real progress in his separate talks with Kadima party leader, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Labor party leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak. “I am not going to give up on this,” Netanyahu said Monday.

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Netanyahu picked to form Israeli government

Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu was chosen Friday to form Israel’s next government, Israeli President Shimon Peres’ office said. The decision comes after Avigdor Lieberman, head of the right-wing Yisrael Beytenu party, said he would recommend Netanyahu for the post, but only if he promises to form a “broad-based” coalition government

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Kadima, Likud claim mandate to govern

Israel’s two largest parties each claimed a mandate Wednesday after elections that saw a surprise first-place finish by the ruling Kadima party and dramatic gains by its conservative rivals, according to unofficial returns. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s failure to assemble a ruling coalition for Kadima last year triggered Tuesday’s elections.

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