AFTER ACCEPTING the mandate yesterday to form Israel’s next government, Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu immediately appealed to the main centre and left-wing parties to join a unity government.
“I call on Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni and Labor Party chairman Ehud Barak and I say to them – let’s unite to secure the future of the state of Israel. I ask to meet with you first to discuss with you a broad national unity government for the good of the people and the state,” Mr Netanyahu said.
But his appeal may be too little too late as both party leaders have already declared their intention to join the opposition.
President Shimon Peres decided to entrust Mr Netanyahu with the task of forming the government after holding talks with representatives of the 12 parties which won seats in the Knesset.
In addition to Likud, the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu, the orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, and the right-wing National Union and Jewish Home all recommended Mr Netanyahu as prime minister: this represents a total of 65 out the 120 Knesset members.
Ms Livni only won the backing of Kadima’s 28 members.
Mr Netanyahu now has 28 days to finalise his coalition, but may request a two-week extension.
Ms Livni announced that she had no intention of joining a broad coalition under Netanyahu, despite the Likud leader’s assertion that he was willing to “go to great lengths” in order to induce Kadima to join his government.
President Shimon Peres met separately both Mr Netanyahu and Ms Livni yesterday before giving the Likud leader the task of forming a coalition, stressing the need for a stable government.
“Most of the factions have expressed their desire to see a broad government being established, and I asked Mr Netanyahu that this wish will be reflected in the makeup of the government,” Mr Peres said at a press conference.
Mr Netanyahu urged the parties to put their differences behind them and unite to face the challenge of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Likud officials hinted that Kadima would be offered two senior portfolios and that Ms Livni would be deputy prime minister if Kadima joined the government.
The Kadima leader rejected the president’s plea that she consider joining a coalition comprised of the three largest parties – Kadima, Likud and Ysrael Beiteinu – and asserted that a “broad coalition is worthless if it is not governed by values”.