Kadima: Yisrael Beitenu can join coalition if it accepts pullout plan

Kadima, which won the most seats with 28 in Israeli Knesset (parliament) elections, said on Thursday that it may form a coalition government with the right- wing Yisrael Beitenu party if it supports the plan to evacuate the majority of West Bank settlements.

Roni Bar-On, a senior Kadima Knesset member, told Israel Radio that it would be possible for Avigdor Lieberman, head of Yisrael Beitenu, to join a Kadima-led coalition if he accepts the initiative.

Yisrael Beitenu gained an unexpected 12 seats of the 120-seat Knesset in Tuesday's elections.

The offer came as negotiations on the new coalition continued on Thursday.

Isaac Herzog, No. 2 Knesset member of the leftist Labor Party which came second with 20 seats, told Israel Radio that his party would probably be part of the future coalition government.

"Labor is a very important element in parliament. Undoubtedly, the government guidelines will include our social guidelines," Herzog said.

Source: Xinhua