Netanyahu assembles team of negotiators
With coalition talks officially commencing on Wednesday, Prime Minister designate Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed the Likud's team – to be headed by MK Gideon Sa'ar. Meanwhile, Livni and Barak continue to rebuff Netanyahu's offers. However some voices in Kadima are publically pushing Livni to reconsider
Likud Chairman and Prime Minister designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Tuesday evening that he has appointed a team of negotiators for the upcoming coalition talks as he attempts to form a new government.
Netanyahu held meetings earlier this week with Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni and Labor Chairman Ehud Barak, and has said he urges them to join a broad coalition under his leadership. Livni and Barak have so far rejected Netanyahu's offer.
Netanyahu introduces Livni to his family (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Livni, however, is beginning to come under pressure from some voices in Kadima who want to see the party join Netanyahu. Kadima's number two, Shaul Mofaz said: "The citizens of Israel gave us 28 mandates, but not so we would sit in the opposition."
The team will be led by MK Gideon Sa'ar, formerly chairman of the Likud's Knesset faction, and also
includes MK Ze'ev Elkin, Professor Ya'akov Ne'eman, former MK Eliezer (Modi) Zandberg and political consultant Nathan Eshel.
The coalition talks will kick-off on Wednesday Kfar Hamaccabiah between the Likud and the right-wing parties. In addition Netanyahu has also appointed a 'hundred days' team, whose job is to prepare the government's plan of action for its first days. At the head of the team is MK Yuval Steinitz.
Meanwhile it was reported that Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer rejected Netanyahu's offer to serve as finance minister in the latter's future government.
According to a source familiar with the exchange, Fischer outright rebuffed the offer.
