Zionist Union resents being ‘used’ by Likud

Yacimovich slams Livni: This is the end of the two-headed leadership.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, co-leaders of Zionist Union, gesture as they deliver a statement at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv March 18 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, co-leaders of Zionist Union, gesture as they deliver a statement at the party headquarters in Tel Aviv March 18
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Likud is merely using the possibility of negotiating with the Zionist Union in an effort to lower the asking price of Bayit Yehudi, a source close to Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog said Sunday night.
Channel 10 reported Sunday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would eventually turn to Herzog.
Netanyahu’s No. 2, Interior Minister Gilad Erdan, said the Likud may have to turn to the Center and Left. Outgoing Likud minister Limor Livnat said Netanyahu should seek a unity government in order to quell international pressure.
But the Zionist Union source said he was absolutely sure there would be no unity government.
“Let us try to end the speculation,” Labor faction chairman Eitan Cabel wrote on Facebook. “The Zionist Union is going to the opposition! Every morning I am impressed by the skills of the screenplays suggested by the analysts, but negotiations are taking place only in their minds. It could be a good movie but it’s not news.”
Cabel wrote that Netanyahu is not built for the ideological upheaval required for a partnership with the Zionist Union, and whoever expects him to change is delusional.
“It is possible to search indefinitely for hints of unity, like looking for leavening with a candle, but there never was such an option and now also it is only imaginary,” Cabel said. “Bibi is not Begin.
He doesn’t have what is necessary to undertake a serious diplomatic move, fight his friends the tycoons and change national priorities.
That is why he is returning to the extreme Right and the haredim. This time, just this once, I recommend that you trust me.”
Meanwhile, the No. 3 MK in the Zionist Union, MK Shelly Yacimovich, fiercely attacked the No. 2, MK Tzipi Livni.
Yacimovich said the Zionist Union partnership was intended for one election, and that if there is a leadership race, she would probably support Herzog.
“This is the end of the two-headed leadership,” Yacimovich wrote on Twitter.
“Herzog is the chairman, and whoever else wants to head the party should run.”