Skip to main content

Livni-Herzog alliance a threat to Netanyahu

The presidential elections exposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political vulnerabilities.
Reuven Rivlin (L), a former speaker of parliament and the newly elected Israeli president, hugs fellow presidential candidate, former Finance Minister Meir Sheetrit, at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem June 10, 2014. Rivlin, a right-wing legislator opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state, was elected Israel's president on Tuesday and will replace the dovish Shimon Peres in the largely ceremonial post. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY PROFI
Read in 

The foreign minister rushed out of the Knesset just a few minutes after he cast his ballot in the second round of voting for president. Avigdor Liberman was quickly swallowed up by his limo, which picked him up at just the precise moment to take him to the airport. He was off on a 10-day trip to Africa.

While on his way to the airport, Liberman still hoped to hear that the 10th president of Israel would be Knesset member Meir Sheetrit, a member of the Hatnua Party. From one moment to the other, that scenario seemed increasingly realistic, but it came crashing down against reality in just one short hour.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.