Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s surprise move to form a unity government with Kadima announced early on Tuesday morning has shocked Israeli politics, unleashing harsh criticism from opposition members, and praise from members of the Likud-led governing coalition.

President Shimon Peres praised the move, and said that “a national unity government is good for the people in Israel.” A unity government will help Israel deal with the challenges it faces, he added.

“The crucial challenges facing Israel require a broad national unity,” the president said.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said that “unity brings back stability. A broad national unity government is good for security, good for the economy, good for the nation of Israel.”

Former leader of the opposition Tzipi Livni came out in criticism of the move on her Facebook page. “This morning I want say one sentence to each and every one of you. I know exactly what you are feeling right now after what happened last night – but remember that there is also another kind of politics, and that it will win,” she wrote.

Israel Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich slammed the maneuver as “an alliance of cowards,” and the most ridiculous zig-zag in Israel’s political history, which no one will ever forget.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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