Yisrael Beiteinu news stories on Newser

Israeli Foreign Minister Faces Raft of Corruption Charges

Jason Farago — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:34:38 CDT

Israeli police have recommended the indictment of the country's foreign minister for bribery, money laundering, and other corruption charges, Haaretz reports. Avigdor Lieberman, who leads the ultranationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party and was kingmaker in February's closely-run election, has been under investigation for years and is accused of funneling cash to...

Leftist Party Could Join Israel Government

Jason Farago — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:19:06 CDT

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister-designate of Israel, has been given an extra two weeks to form a government after a breakthrough in talks with Ehud Barak, the leader of the Labor Party and the country's outgoing defense minister. While Netanyahu has been ready to complete his right-wing cabinet this week,...

Livni Rejects Netanyahu Coalition Offer

Jason Farago — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:01:36 CST

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister-designate, failed to persuade rival Tzipi Livni to join him in a broad coalition government, Haaretz reports. At a meeting today, Netanyahu made substantial concessions to the current foreign minister, including key ministerial posts for her party, Kadima. But Netanyahu's refusal to endorse a two-state solution...

Netanyahu Will Be Israel's PM

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:47:55 CST

Benjamin Netanyahu is now all but certain to become Israel's prime minister after winning the backing of Avigdor Lieberman, whose far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party came in third in last week's election. Centrist Tzipi Livni edged out hawkish Netanyahu in the Feb. 10 poll, but Netanyahu has garnered the endorsement of...

Livni Running Out of Options, and Time

Jason Farago — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:42:31 CST

Though her party nabbed first place in Tuesday's Israeli election, Tzipi Livni seems to have shelved her long-shot effort to become the country's next prime minister. The question that remains, writes the Los Angeles Times , is whether she will join forces with Benjamin Netanyahu or go into opposition. "Livni, the...

Israeli Rivals Move Toward Consensus

Jason Farago — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:04:54 CST

While Israel's two possible leaders continued negotiations with smaller parties, a consensus has grown that Likud and Kadima will join forces in a national unity government. According to senior sources in both parties, Benjamin Netanyahu will serve as prime minister, while Tzipi Livni will remain foreign minister. Haaretz also suggests...

Peace Is Big Loser in Israeli Election

Harry Kimball — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:31:01 CST

The indecisive Israeli election will likely produce weeks of wrangling and coalition building, frustrating both Israelis and the Obama administration, which had hoped for an immediate partner in Mideast peace talks, Time reports. Though Tzipi Livni’s centrist Kadima party slightly edged out Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, he is seen as...

Israeli Pols Scramble for Tiebreaker Coalitions

Jason Farago — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:04:35 CST

Israel's two would-be prime ministers began meeting with possible coalition partners today as the country prepared for weeks of squabbling to resolve last night's inconclusive election, Haaretz reports. With 99% of the votes counted, Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima has won 28 seats in the 120-member parliament, while Benjamin Netanyahu's hawkish...

Livni's Party Wins, but Netanyahu May Be Next PM

John Johnson — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:58:52 CST

This much is clear: Exit polls show that Tzipi Livni's Kadima Party has narrowly defeated Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, the Jerusalem Post reports. So who will be the next prime minister? Not so clear. In fact, both candidates are claiming the mantle. Israel's election rules say the party with the...