Livni: PM lives in a reality show

Opposition leader criticizes Netanyahu, urging him to take a stand on Palestinian-Israeli relations. 'Sit with the Palestinians, prove we have a partner'

Moran Azulay|Published: 09.19.11 , 13:08

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a special recess deliberation in the Knesset Monday intended to discuss political and financial issues, including the upcoming Palestinian UN bid for statehood.

"Sit with the Palestinians in the same room," demanded Livni of the PM. "Prove we have a partner."

Full coverage of the Palestinian statehood bid:

Livni addressed the heated issue of Israeli-Palestinian relations, calling Netanyahu to take a stand. "We're leading up to Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and these are days of self-examination for every Jew. I don't want to dwell on the past but instead talk about the future and look at the past with self-scrutiny and not attackingly.

Livni speaks before the Knesset (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

"Israel will have to decide whether it will continue to sit passively on the fence or perhaps the prime minister will finally initiate the process the whole world has been waiting for."

According to the opposition leader, "Netanyahu believes everything is alright. The world supports us, Europe and the United States… When I hear these words I ask myself whether Netanyahu is participating is some sort of a reality show, because the echoes of the actual reality do not reach this room."

For full coverage of PA's statehood bid, click here

Minister of Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein responded to Livni, saying: "When a lady, who fully supported the disengagement plan and explained what a wonderful reality we'd have and how the world would love us and everyone would know we are pacifists, when a lady who conducted failed negotiations and wasn't able to get anywhere tries to give advice on how to run negotiations – that's something I truly cannot comprehend."