Israel Faces Snap Vote After Talks Collapse

Move means ultra-right parties will make up next government

(NEWSER) - Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister-designate, failed to persuade rival Tzipi Livni to join him in a broad coalition government, Haaretz reports. At a meeting today, Netanyahu made substantial concessions to the current foreign minister, including key ministerial posts for her party, Kadima. But Netanyahu's refusal to endorse a two-state solution left Livni unable to join his government. More»

Likud leader secures support of ultranationalist Lieberman

(AP) - Benjamin Netanyahu is now all but certain to become Israel's prime minister after winning the backing of Avigdor Lieberman, whose far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party came in third in last week's election. Centrist Tzipi Livni edged out hawkish Netanyahu in the Feb. 10 poll, but Netanyahu has garnered the endorsement of more lawmakers. Lieberman's party made the announcement at a meeting with Shimon Peres, the president, who will now invite Netanyahu to form a government. More»

Livni will join a Netanyahu-led government, parties say

(NEWSER) - While Israel's two possible leaders continued negotiations with smaller parties, a consensus has grown that Likud and Kadima will join forces in a national unity government. According to senior sources in both parties, Benjamin Netanyahu will serve as prime minister, while Tzipi Livni will remain foreign minister. Haaretz also suggests that Avigdor Lieberman, whose hard-right Yisrael Beiteinu came third in Tuesday's vote, may be given the finance portfolio. More»

(NEWSER) - The indecisive Israeli election will likely produce weeks of wrangling and coalition building, frustrating both Israelis and the Obama administration, which had hoped for an immediate partner in Mideast peace talks, Time reports. Though Tzipi Livni’s centrist Kadima party slightly edged out Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, he is seen as the eventual choice for prime minister, and the Likud-led government he forms will likely include the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party. More»

After near-tie, Livni, Netanyahu scramble to form coalitions

(NEWSER) - Israel's two would-be prime ministers began meeting with possible coalition partners today as the country prepared for weeks of squabbling to resolve last night's inconclusive election, Haaretz reports. With 99% of the votes counted, Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima has won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament, while Benjamin Netanyahu's hawkish Likud has 27. More»