'Can bring more mandates.' Livni
צילום: AFP
Livni: Easing of restrictions should depend on Shalit talks
FM says Israel should condition easing of Gaza blockade on negotiations for captive soldier's release; aides say she'll seek formation of emergency government over going to general elections
Israel should condition the easing of restrictions on the Gaza Strip blockade on the negotiations for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Monday evening.
Speaking to a support rally held at a kibbutz located near Israel's border with Gaza, Livni said "Kadima's effect on Israeli public affairs. We were the people's hope and we blew it; now we are working to make amends."
Earlier Livni's aides said that in case the foreign minister is elected Kadima chairman in the party's upcoming primary elections she'll prefer to avoid general elections and instead opt for establishing an emergency government.
The statement marks a change in the position of the Livni camp, which has claimed over the past few weeks that if elected she would prefer to hold general elections as soon as possible.
Associates who believe Livni should face Likud and Labor in general elections say that a victory in the Kadima primaries would promise her broad public support and a good chance of winning.
However, a senior aide told Ynet that he estimated Livni would eventually attempt to form an alternate government if elected Kadima head in the September 17 primaries.
"We want to make it clear that as opposed to (Transportation Minister) Shaul Mofaz (another top candidate for the Kadima premiership), Livni can lead Kadima in a general vote and bring the party many more mandate," he said.
"However, it is our belief that forming an alternate government and maintaining political stability would be the right thing to do at this juncture."
Meanwhile, sources close to Labor chief Ehud Barak said the party would demand keeping the education portfolio in future negotiations on the establishment of a new government.
Barak said recently that if elected prime minister he would simultaneously head the Education Ministry.
