Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to opposition leader Tzipi Livni to join his ruling coalition, creating a vision of a government that would likely boost the stalemated peace process with the Palestinians, reported local news service Ynet on Friday.
"I am determined to try to expand the coalition base at this time in the face of the Palestinian refusal and the various threats," Netanyahu was quoted as saying on Thursday. He stressed that he is serious about his intention and that the move is not a political maneuver aimed to split Livni's centrist Kadima party.
Netanyahu hinted that if Livni turns down his offer, he would try to take at least some of the Kadima lawmakers.
"I would be very happy to see her join, but I have no plans to give up on the attempt to expand the coalition base," said Netanyahu, who managed to piece together a coalition after the February elections amid a noticeable rightward turn of Israel's political trend.
In response to the offer, the Kadima chairwoman, who met with Netanyahu on Thursday, was quoted as saying that "I am not slamming the door, but I will not be part of a game of small politics." It is still unknown when Kadima will make its decision, although Netanyahu reportedly said he would not wait long.
As former foreign minister and chief negotiator with the Palestinians, Livni is widely seen as a moderate force that would push forward the peace process with the Palestinians. In March, she refused to join Netanyahu's government because the Likud leader did not accept the two-state principle at that time.
Should the 28-seat Kadima be on board, it would considerably counterbalance the rightist dominance in the current government, and the
Israeli side would have a better chance in persuading the Palestinians to return to the negotiation table after a one-year hiatus.
Although Israel has conditionally adopted the two-state principle and even ordered a 10-month freeze on new construction projects in West Bank settlements, the Palestinians still refuse to resume talks with Israel, accusing the Netanyahu administration of not being genuine.