BREAKING NEWS

Likudniks want Bennett, not Livni in coalition

Likud MKs and mayors warned Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Wednesday not to form a coalition with Center-Left parties at the expense of Bayit Yehudi and other traditional Likud allies on the Right.
The warnings came after former foreign minister Tzipi Livni sent messengers twice to speak to Netanyahu's confidants about joining forces in the coalition he is expected to form following the January 22 election.
"If the Likud-Beytenu does not fare as well as expected in the election, Netanyahu might be able to get away with saying he had no choice but to bring Center-Left parties into the coalition," said Likud MK Danny Danon. "But if Likud gets 40 seats and he goes to [Labor leader] Shelly [Yacimovich] instead of Bayit Yehudi, the Likud rank and file will be angry. It would be seen as betrayal of our partner."