Israeli Rivals Move Toward Consensus

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»

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»

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»

Seems unlikely vote winner will become Israel's next PM

(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. 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»