Netanyahu: 'Livni can have more ministers'
Photo: Reuters
Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni
Photo: Gil Yohanan
PM to advisors: Livni can have more ministers
Ahead of Kadima faction meeting to decide whether or not to accept Netanyahu's proposal to join unity government, prime minister stresses his intentions are sincere, says 'If Livni wishes to add an additional minister or two, this won't be a problem'
On the day when the Kadima party is slated to decide whether or not to accept Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unity offer, the PM is making another attempt to get opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni on his team.
In a closed talk with his advisors, the prime minister said on Monday that he would be willing to add a Kadima minister to the security cabinet.
"My proposal to Livni to expand our unity government is just as Menachem Begin did, when he joined the government with two ministers without portfolios at the head of a 26 MK faction. But if Livni wishes to add an additional minister or two, this won't be a problem," Netanyahu said.
Speaking with his advisors, Netanyahu stressed that his offer was sincere. "I will also agree to ad another Kadima minister to the cabinet. I say this because my offer is serious and sincere, and mainly because I a have the desire to strengthen the State of Israel in the fact of its security and political challenges."
Later Monday the Kadima faction is scheduled to convene to discuss Netanyahu's proposal. After a meeting with the PM on Sunday Livni briefed many of the party members on its content, and mostly her No.2 man – Knesset Member Shaul Mofaz, who, according to a source privy to the details, "was less than impressed with the offer." It is believed that Kadima will vote against accepting Netanyahu's proposal.
