Israeli coalition talks falter

Netanyahu, Livni divided on state for Palestinians

February 28, 2009|Associated Press

JERUSALEM - Israel edged closer to a government of hawks and right-wing religious parties yesterday after Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu failed to persuade his chief moderate rival to join a coalition that could help avert a showdown with the Obama administration.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni refuses to sign up unless Netanyahu openly endorses the vision of dividing the land into separate Jewish and Palestinian states.

"Two states for two peoples is not an empty slogan - it is the only way Israel can keep its existence as a Jewish, democratic state," Livni said after their meeting. "Just as I cannot accept vague statements, neither can the world. This is a matter of principle, not semantics."

Netanyahu said he had made Livni a generous offer of partnership, adding that he intended to promote the diplomatic process with the Palestinians. Nevertheless, he said he encountered a "complete rejection of unity from Ms. Livni."

The breakdown in their talks came as President Obama's Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, was in the region meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Livni did not shut the door completely on an agreement, and Netanyahu still has five weeks to form a government. The two deadlocked in the Feb. 10 election, but Netanyahu was appointed to create a coalition because he had greater support from the elected lawmakers.

Netanyahu can form a hard-line government that will give him a 65-seat majority in the 120-seat Parliament. But that means virtually any of his partners could bring down the government in a dispute.

Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima party and served as chief negotiator with the Palestinians, supports the formation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Netanyahu does not.