Tzipi Livni
Tzipi LivniFlash 90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has made headway in his attempts to form a coalition, having apparently convinced Hatnua head Tzipi Livni – his former political rival as head of the Opposition – to join the government.

The two will hold a joint press conference at 8 p.m. at which they will reveal details of their agreement.

According to initial reports, Livni will be made Justice Minister in the next government. In addition, she will play a major role in diplomatic talks with the Palestinian Authority.

Livni will reportedly be the only minister authorized to negotiate with the PA, and will report directly to Netanyahu.

The six-seat Hatnua party is expected to get two other positions as well: MK Amir Peretz will be made the Minister for Environmental Protection, and MK Amram Mitzna will head the Knesset’s House Committee.

Sources on the political right expressed surprise and upset at the deal. “Netanyahu lied to his voters when he said that Livni would not be responsible for diplomatic negotiations,” they said. “Netanyahu is taking us back by four years.”

The surprise announcement regarding the agreement with Hatnua comes one day after Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) head Naftali Bennett reported that there have been no serious coalition talks between Likud and Bayit Yehudi for a week.