Livni, Netanyahu meet Sunday evening
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Kadima officials: Rejecting Bibi's offer a mistake
Despite united front pretensions, senior Kadima members slam Livni's 'aggressive conduct,' tell Ynet rejecting out of hand Benjamin Netanyahu's 'very generous offer' to join government was wrong move
Despite publically backing Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, behind the scenes tensions appear to be growing over Livni's declaration that she will not be joining a Likud-led government.
"This is wrong thinking," the source said. "Netanyahu will have a disciplined government that would be able to conduct itself and vote in unison."
In a talk with Ynet Monday, senior Kadima officials slammed Livni's rejection of Benjamin Netanyahu's offers.
"Netanyahu made a very generous offer, and it's a mistake to reject it out of hand," one source said, dismissing Livni's estimation that a narrow right-wing government will be toppled quickly.
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However, Kadima sources expressed cautious optimism regarding the prospects of ultimately joining Bibi's government, pointing to the fact that Livni and Netanyahu were scheduled to meet again and that their first meeting lasted two hours.
Meanwhile, Kadima officials also criticized Livni's management style.
"She manages everything on her own and takes the decisions herself," one party source said. Officials in Kadima are saying that senior party members have not yet openly criticized Livni because "she responds aggressively to every deviation from the path she sets."
Bibi not giving up yet
Responding to the charges, Livni associates said that some Kadima members are apparently bitter over the prospect of losing their government jobs."Livni consults with many senior faction members before every decision and receives Kadima's backing," one source said. "This is how she works."
Some Kadima officials are estimating that senior party members are waiting for the outcome of Livni's second meeting with Netanyahu before attacking her openly.
Elsewhere, Netanyahu's associates said that despite the negative responses received from Livni and Barak, the Likud leader is giving the coalition talks with them another chance. Therefore, for the time being official talks with Shas, Yisrael Beiteinu and other rightist parties have not yet been scheduled.
