'Coalition change possible'

President optimistic Kadima may join government. Pressure increases on Abbas but Israeli sources say he's unlikely to back down

Israel News

Despite the pressure, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not backing down. International pressure on the Palestinian Authority to begin direct negotiations with Israel continues, but sources familiar with the talks say Abbas is unlikely to bow to the pressure. Meanwhile, the talks are likely to lead to political changes in Israel. President Shimon Peres, who celebrates his 87th birthday on Monday, is optimistic that talks will lead to Kadima joining the coalition and a unity government.

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After the Arab League gave Abbas a green light to enter direct talks, a 16-page letter from US President Barack Obama to Abbas was published, showing how much pressure is on the Palestinians. Obama warned Abbas that if he failed to respond to the pressure, relations with the US would deteriorate.


The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the political issue. It also refused to indicate who would be involved in the direct talks, if and when they commenced. However, sources close to Benjamin Netanyahu said the prime minister would head the team but it was not clear whether he would be actively involved in negotiations.


Government ministers said that debates about direct talks were expected soon, which would include debates over Israel's opening positions and demands. Netanyahu's office said no such debates had yet been held, but that they may be held when it was decided to hold direct talks.



Peres is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Sunday and ask that he pressure Abbas into joining direct negotiations as soon as possible.



The president has expressed optimism regarding the possibility of a unity government in case direct negotiations are launched.



Peres said negotiations between Netanyahu and Opposition leader Tzipi Livni are progressing, but sources in Kadima, Livni's party, said the reports of negotiations on the establishment of a unity government are false. Officials said the party is still demanding a change in the government's policy and make-up.