Israel Matzav: Why there won't be a national unity government for now

Why there won't be a national unity government for now

At least two MK's (that I saw) called for a national unity government on Thursday - Zevulun Orlev (HaBayit HaYehudi) and Otniel Schneller (Kadima).

I don't expect that to happen anytime soon. The pressure for a national unity government is only going to grow and Tzipi Livni is going to play it for all it's worth. For now, at least, I don't believe she'll go in without getting a rotating Prime Ministership - something Netanyahu is not likely to give her.

The polls show Kadima has lost about 30% of its support since the elections while Likud has lost very little (much of the gain has accrued to a secular party that does not yet exist, but that has to do with domestic considerations here and not with foreign policy).

Separately, Kadima MK Ronit Tirosh - who is fairly high up on their list - said that Kadima will back Netanyahu on building in Jerusalem. No one wants to be the party that gives ground on that question. I don't believe Netanyahu can give Obama what he wants even if Netanyahu wanted to give it.

You will see a national unity government if an attack on Iran is imminent. That happened here just before the Six Day War as well.

Israel Matzav: Why there won't be a national unity government for now