国际英语新闻：Netanyahu's maneuvers likely to create political storm in Israel

JERUSALEM, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- A year after a turbulent government transition period, it looks as though Israel's political realm is in for another big upheaval.

    Kadima, the largest party in the Israeli parliament, could be about to lose several of its lawmakers, with serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likely to be the big winner.

    Netanyahu's Likud party has been trying to lure Kadima members of the parliament, or the Knesset, more or less since Netanyahu formed his government some nine months ago. That effort has culminated this week, but only after Netanyahu also made a very public attempt to persuade the entire Kadima party to quit the opposition and join his coalition.

    Many analysts believe that this is an obvious attempt by Netanyahu to destroy his main political rival, Kadima leader Tzipi Livni. However, some do think that there could be more serious issues at stake here.

    SHALIT CONNECTION

    On Monday evening, a meeting of Kadima parliamentarians rejected Netanyahu's offer, and thus ended the chance of Netanyahu controlling more than 100 seats in the 120-member legislature.

    However, according to Israeli media reports on Monday morning, as many as 10 Kadima lawmakers are considering quitting the party. That would severely limit Kadima's effectiveness and could even lead to its disappearance from the political scene. Most of the lawmakers named as wanting to quit Kadima would head for Netanyahu's Likud.

    There are two possible scenarios, according to Shlomo Tzadok, apolitical scientist at the University of Haifa. Either Netanyahu simply wants to kill off Kadima, or the prime minister is seeking broad parliamentary support for an upcoming and "dramatic" move with regard to captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

    The Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas has been holding Shalit in the Gaza Strip for more than three years. Hamas leaders from Gaza and Syria are currently discussing whether to agree to a proposed deal from Israel, which includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Yet Hamas is said to be unhappy with some of the details.

    Tzadok said that Netanyahu may want wide support for his position on Shalit, and thus he invited Livni to join his coalition. If this is the case, it does not necessarily give a clear indication as to the fate of the prisoner exchange.

    "The dramatic move may not mean his release, it could also signal the blocking of the deal. Either way it needs strong parliamentary backing," said Tzadok.

    He added that the Shalit case could be the motive behind Netanyahu's offer to Livni because there is nothing else currently happening that would warrant such a healthy parliamentary majority.

    Netanyahu will need support whether he is to release dozens of murderers in exchange for Shalit or to block the deal because he does not want to pay such a hefty price, said Tzadok.