Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Livni Running Out of Options, and Time

Seems unlikely vote winner will become Israel's next PM

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2009 6:42 AM CST

(Newser) – Though her party nabbed first place in Tuesday's Israeli election, Tzipi Livni seems to have shelved her long-shot effort to become the country's next prime minister. The question that remains, writes the Los Angeles Times, is whether she will join forces with Benjamin Netanyahu or go into opposition. "Livni, the moral winner of the election, has to make the strategic decision," said one political analyst.

A coalition led by Netanyahu would likely include the hard-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, whose platform many call anti-Arab, as well as ultra-Orthodox parties. Yesterday Livni said that she would not join a right-wing religious government. But a senior official within her Kadima Party told Haaretz that they would probably join the government eventually, with Livni retaining her old job of foreign minister.

Tzipi Livni reacts as she stand under a sign reading Kadima, during election night rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Wednesday morning Feb. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)

Israeli election workers count remaining ballots from soldiers and absentees at the Knesset in Jerusalem, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu prior to a meeting with parliament members in Jerusalem today. Likud will get 27 seats in the 120-seat parliament, one less than Kadima with 28 seats. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)

Tzipi Livni reacts during election night rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Wednesday morning Feb. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Israeli Women Refuse to Move to the Back of the Bus

Women defiant as ultra-Orthodox men try to impose religious views

(NEWSER) - Calling Rosa Parks. Israeli women are refusing to move to the back of the bus despite pressure from Orthodox Jews who believe in the segregation of the sexes. An 18-year-old female soldier recently boarded a Jerusalem bus and was ordered by an ultra-Orthodox man to the back. "I said I have a right to sit here," she told the Wall Street Journal. "Then other people gathered and started shouting. It was scary." Confrontations are increasing as the once-insular maxi-conservative Jews expand beyond their traditional communities and interact with mainstream Israelis. More»

Israel Freeing 1K Palestinians to Bring Soldier Home

Government strikes deal with Hamas for Gilad Shalit

(NEWSER) - After more than five years as a captive of Palestinian militants, soldier Gilad Shalit will be home within days, the Israeli government says. Shalit, now 25, was 19 when he was captured during a cross-border raid in 2006, and his captivity has long been an emotional issue in Israel. To secure his release, the Israeli government has promised Hamas that it will free 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, close to a fifth of all Palestinians held by Israel, the BBC reports. More»

Obama to Meet With Palestinian Leader at UN

He'll also meet with Netanyahu as Perry, Romney hammer policies

(NEWSER) - If there is indeed a deal in the works to postpone a US-Palestinian showdown on statehood, the two leaders will get to hash it out in person. President Obama will meet Mahmoud Abbas at the UN tomorrow, the AP reports. Obama will meet separately with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, sources tell Haaretz that votes on statehood in the Security Council and General Assembly are likely to be postponed for weeks or longer, presumably so negotiators can resume peace talks. More»

Israel Retaliates, Kills 6 in Gaza

... after 7 Israelis were killed in morning attacks

(NEWSER) - Israel retaliated over terror attacks earlier today by launching airstrikes into Gaza that claimed the lives of six people, CNN reports . Palestinian authorities say the strikes, just west of Rafah near Egypt's border, killed five members of Popular Resistance Committees and the son of one member. Israeli defense forces say the members organized today's terror attacks with the hope of kidnapping an Israeli soldier or civilian. Seven Israelis were killed. More»

Israeli Pundits Pan Netanyahu's US Trip

Meanwhile, Obama loses top Jewish donor

(NEWSER) - Benjamin Netanyahu got plenty of standing ovations in Washington, but back home the “nearly unanimous assessment” is that he’s badly damaged the peace process and fueled Palestine’s push for a UN resolution recognizing its statehood, the New York Times reports. “Those who are scared of peace yesterday got their wish,” one prominent columnist wrote. “Those who are scared of war will be a lot more scared today.” Another observed that “negotiations that had a slim chance of being renewed before now have no chance at all.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Livni Running Out of Options, and Time

Seems unlikely vote winner will become Israel's next PM

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Tzipi Livni • Benjamin Netanyahu • Kadima • coalition government • Israeli election • Yisrael Beiteinu

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Israeli Women Refuse to Move to the Back of the Bus

Women defiant as ultra-Orthodox men try to impose religious views

Israel Freeing 1K Palestinians to Bring Soldier Home

Government strikes deal with Hamas for Gilad Shalit

Obama to Meet With Palestinian Leader at UN

He'll also meet with Netanyahu as Perry, Romney hammer policies

Israel Retaliates, Kills 6 in Gaza

... after 7 Israelis were killed in morning attacks

Israeli Pundits Pan Netanyahu's US Trip

Meanwhile, Obama loses top Jewish donor

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Livni Running Out of Options, and Time

Seems unlikely vote winner will become Israel's next PM

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Tzipi Livni • Benjamin Netanyahu • Kadima • coalition government • Israeli election • Yisrael Beiteinu

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Israeli Women Refuse to Move to the Back of the Bus

Women defiant as ultra-Orthodox men try to impose religious views

Israel Freeing 1K Palestinians to Bring Soldier Home

Government strikes deal with Hamas for Gilad Shalit

Obama to Meet With Palestinian Leader at UN

He'll also meet with Netanyahu as Perry, Romney hammer policies

Israel Retaliates, Kills 6 in Gaza

... after 7 Israelis were killed in morning attacks

Israeli Pundits Pan Netanyahu's US Trip

Meanwhile, Obama loses top Jewish donor

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?