Kadima leader Tzipi Livni seems lost, now aware that she will not be forming the next coalition government. She is not enjoying the support of her closest party allies regarding her decision to enter into opposition, with some of the veteran legislators calling on her to enter into coalitions talks with premier designate Binyamin Netanyahu and his representatives.

Outgoing Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik and Chaim Ramon, two very close associates of Livni, are both releasing statements to enter into coalition talks; basically of the belief the opposition option always remains an option. Livni feels that such a move would compromise her integrity, seemingly unwilling to probe just what Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu has in mind in his invitation to Kadima to join the forming government.

Livni has stated she does not wish to permit Kadima to be used as a “fig leaf” for a “paralyzed right-wing government” or to grant legitimacy to a right-wing government that will have a marginal majority at best.

Also supporting the possibility of joining Netanyahu’s coalition are Shaul Mofaz and Ze’ev Boim, two other cabinet ministers on the Kadima team.

Kadima leaders feel Netanyahu would prefer the legitimacy of a broad-based coalition over a right-wing government that leans heavily on the religious and right-wing parties, with Livni demanding that a precondition to talks is Netanyahu nullifying the ‘secret deal’ made with Shas.

Over the weekend, Netanyahu did just the opposite, announcing that he remains loyal to Shas, adding he will not establish any coalition government that does not include Shas.

It was Shas that refused to enter a coalition with Livni in October 2008, resulting in the recent general elections. Some report that Shas and Likud at the time closed a backroom deal that prompted Yishai’s move, and now, the incoming prime minister appears ready to repay the good dead. Livni however is looking to even the score and lock Shas out of any coalition aspirations it may have.

According to some Kadima officials, Itzik has been busy over the weekend telephoning party colleagues, seeking their support for entering into a coalition agreement with Likud. There appears to be a growing voice opposing Livni’s position, and many feel the current failure to establish a coalition, for the second time in four months, and her oppositional position following the election, are likely to begin the countdown timer marking the end of her Kadima leadership post.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)