Tel Aviv (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Tzipi Livni, head of the centrist Hatnua party, has dropped her opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and is joining his Likud-led coalition, which includes the rightwing Ysrael Beitenu party. She will serve as the new Justice Minister and chief negotiator with the Palestinians.
Within her party, which won seats in the 120-member Knesset, her decision has been controversial. Most members heard about her appointment from the media, and many of her colleagues accuse her of betraying moderate voters.
For Ms Livni, the change in direction was necessary to fulfil the party's ideals. A deal with Netanyahu was not about a cabinet post but a chance to pursue the party's aims.
Elected to the Knesset for the first time in 2001 under the Likud banner, Livni left the party in the mid-2000s and became a supporter of a two state solution with the Palestinians.
In 2005, she was among the co-founders of Kadima, a party created by Prime Minister Sharon that included former labour and right-wingers.
Still, her moderate position has changed a few times. In 2008, she backed the government's decision (Cast Lead) to go into Gaza, saying that there was no humanitarian crisis in the Strip.