Today: September 10, 2010

 

Netanyahu Fights to Form Government

Posted: Tue 24th February 2009 9.37 AM  | Author: Sam Hailes

Binyamin Netanyahu, has been announced as Israel’s next prime minister. Netanyahu is the leader of Israel's Likud party, but wants to work alongside Tzipi Livni, of the Kadima party and Ehud Barak of Labour to form a national unity government.

Netanyahu said Israel was facing "unprecedented challenges" including Iran's nuclear ambitions, the economic crisis and what he described as “terrorism surrounding us from the south and the north".

Addressing Livni and Barak by name, he said: "Let's unite to secure the future of the state of Israel.” However it will not be easy for Netanyahu to form a unity government as Barak has said he intends to stay in opposition and Livni has refused to be what she called a "figleaf" for a rightwing government. 

Livni favours more talks and the creation of a separate state for Palestinians where as Netanyahu sees a 2 state solution as a threat to Israeli security.

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