Tzipi Livni in Trouble, Coalition Party Withdraws
The religious Shas party, which is a key member of the current governing coalition of Israel, said on Friday it would not become part of the coalition as envisioned by new Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. The announcement forms a major setback for Livni’s already troubled attempt to forge a new coalition.
Earlier Livni said that she would call for new national elections if she would not be able to form a coalition before (or on) Sunday. With only 48 hours left, it is becoming increasingly likely that new elections will indeed be held in Israel, and that Kadima will lose power in them.
Tzipi Livni
The main reason for Shas’ unwillingness to work with Livni, is the latter’s willingness to debate the status of Jerusalem. The Shas Party considers this important religious, cultural and political city’s status to be unnegotiable.
Furthermore, the Orthodox Jewish party said in a statement to Reuters, Livni and the party disagree strongly on welfare reform.
They only asked two things from Livni, the Shas party said in its statement: “real financial help for the weak in Israeli society and protection for Jerusalem… which is not merchandise for sale.”
Livni is now facing a serious political crisis, which could mean the end of her political career, or at least weaken her severely. This while Livni was once considered to be the rising star of Israeli politics, and likely successor of Ehud Olmert, new Prime Minister, and generally spoken the woman who would protect Israel, raise the living standards of its people, and attempt to agree to a deal with Israel’s Arab enemies.
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