Israel’s Coalition Poker

Labor Sources: ‘Ehud Barak Toppled Prime Minister Olmert For Tzipi Livni And Now Barak Wants A Labor Imprint On New Coalition’ President Shimon Peres Starts Consultation With Knesset Parties After Ehud Olmert Officially Tendered His Resignation IsraCast Assessment: Neither Livni Nor Barak Would Gain From Early Election Which Would Likely Be Won By Likud’s Bibi Netanyahu

New Coalition Or Early Election?

Tzipi Livni: ‘I will try to form a new coalition as quickly as possible’ Barak source: ‘Labor should not enter a Livni coalition but opt for an early election’ Shas: ‘No negotiations on Jerusalem and bigger child allowances, otherwise we will not join a Livni coalition’

OLMERT AFTERMATH

Olmert’s Critics: ‘Nothing Has So Distinguished The Prime Minister’s Term Of Office As His Leaving It’ Opposition Leader Bibi Netanyahu: ‘Go To Early Election & Don’t Resuscitate Current Defunct Government’ Isracast: Will Shas Mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Now Determine Who Will Be Israel’s New Prime Minister?

OLMERT’S LAST STAND?

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert: ‘No Chance Of Agreement On Jerusalem With Palestinians This Year – However Differences Are Small On Other Core Issues’ ‘Palestinian Refugee Issue Can Be Solved Outside Of Israel’s Borders’ Knesset Members: ‘What Is Olmert Talking About – He’s On His Way Out Of Office!’

Olmert’s Stay Of Execution

Labor: ‘This Is A Tahdia Cease-Fire Between Olmert & Barak’ Likud: ‘Barak Started Like A Fierce Doberman & Ended Like A Poodle Wagging His Tail To His Master, The Prime Minister!’ IsraCast: ‘Olmert & Barak Agreed On Lowest Common Denominator To Preserve Coalition & Stave Off Early Election’