Amid reports that Kadima is splitting, with up to 14 MKs setting their sights on joining Likud, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has made a formal appeal to Kadima leader MK Tzipi Livni, to join the ruling coalition.

While Mr. Netanyahu is well-aware such a move is most unlikely to occur, he exhibited due diligence by inviting the party to join the government and abandon its role as the leader of the parliamentary opposition.

According to reports including Yediot Achronot, sources close to the prime minister indicate that if Livni rejects the offer, which is what most expect the outcome to be, Netanyahu will move ahead with resounding tenacity towards splitting Kadima and bringing additional MKs into the coalition, determined to increase the coalition majority for an extra measure of stability, perhaps preparing for a jolt from chareidi coalition partners down the road, seeking to protect himself with a safety net that will undermine the current pivotal role the chareidim and right-wing parties play in the coalition.

The prime minister and Livni met on Thursday, followed by a meeting of the Kadima leadership council, which is concerned following Wednesday night’s announcement by member MK Shlomo Aflalo to breakaway, possibly to join Likud or event launch a new party.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)