Netanyahu threatens to fire chief negotiator Livni, reports

Justice Minister and chief Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni was nearly sacked after meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in London on 19 May, the first meeting between the two since the breakdown of the latest round of peace talks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threat to fire Livni was first reported by mainstream Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv on Thursday. Journalist Ben Caspit, who broke the stortm quoted sources saying that the prime minister had only found out about the meeting after it took place and was livid that Livni went against Israeli cabinet policy to cease negotiations following the reconciliation agreements between Hamas and Fatah.

According to the report, Netanyahu swore to fire Livni for her insubordination, but Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid, who is seen as a moderating force, prompted Netanyahu to reconsider, warning him sacking Livni would bring about the dissolution of the government.

Netanyahu was not involved in the planning of the meeting, but found out through independent channels only after it was arranged, Ma’ariv reported.

Witnesses quoted by the paper said that they “had never seen Bibi so furious.”

When Netanyahu demanded an explanation from Livni, she allegedly said that she meant to notify the prime minister ahead of time, but did not get the chance due to time differences. 

This contradicts a previous report that Livni had briefed Netanyahu on her plan to meet Abbas a day before the meeting took place.

Livni had defended her decision to meet Abbas after peace talks collapsed. 

"I would like to remind everyone that the conflict isn't over," Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told her Hatnuah party at a weekly meeting held on Monday, according to a statement.

"We're still here and the Palestinians are still here. Our interest is to resolve the conflict, and ignoring reality is not an option," she said.

She also insisted that the meeting was private and did not signal an official intention to resume talks.

Livni was "representing only herself and not the Israeli government," a senior official from Netanyahu's office told Israeli newspaper Haaretz shortly after the meet. 

The meeting between Livni and Abbas last week occurred hours after the two held separate meetings with US Secretary of State John Kerry, also in London. 

Israel pulled out of the talks in mid-April, saying it would not negotiate with any Palestinian government supported by Hamas after the leadership in the West Bank signed a unity deal with the rival Islamist rulers of Gaza, who do not offficially recognise Israel. 

"Ignoring the other side, not listening or talking, is irresponsible," Livni said.

"To all those politicians up in arms, I want to be clear - we'll continue doing what we believe in, and that's what I did last week by meeting the president," Livni said.