Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on his prospective coalition partners not to resort to "arm-twisting and dictation of terms" in coalition talks and to seek unity, in light of the many challenges facing the country.
"The best way to deal with the challenges is with unity," he said. "Unity can be achieved through dialogue, and not through arm-twisting and dictation of terms. An honest attempt is needed to reach common ground out of mutual respect and true dialogue."
The prime minister-designate spoke ahead of a meeting with visiting US Senator Joe Lieberman, who said a Netanyahu-led government would enjoy good relations with Washington.
"Our enemies, unfortunately, are as common as the values and the interests that have united us for all these years," Lieberman told reporters. "I have no doubt that with Netanyahu's government here we will have good and positive relations with the Obama administration in Washington and with members of Congress, and I look forward to playing my part in contributing to that."
Netanyahu is slated to begin coalition-building efforts on Sunday in a meeting with Kadima head Tzipi Livni. On Monday, he is expected to meet Labor chairman Ehud Barak to discuss the possibility of retaining him as defense minister in the new government. He called on Livni and Labor leader Ehud Barak, as well as other parties, to put politics aside and to join his coalition. Despite their ideological differences, they were united in their commitment to Israel's well-being, Netanyahu said.
What he wanted to achieve, he said, was peace with Israel's neighbors "and unity among ourselves."
"We have not been confronted with so many challenges at the same time in decades," Netanyahu said, after receiving the letter of appointment from Peres. "To face these challenges, we need to join hands and unite all the forces within the people.
"I call on all parties, those who recommended me [for prime minister] and those who didn't. I turn to Livni and to Barak - let us join hands and pledge for the future of Israel. I hope to meet with you first and discuss a broad unity government."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304846734&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304835900&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
*
