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Israeli center-left leader dismisses option to join unity gov't

Xinhua, March 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Israel's center-left Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog on Wednesday rejected the idea that his party will join a national unity government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Herzog dismissed the possibility that his party would be a part of the next government led by the sitting prime minister only one day after losing a parliamentary election to Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party.

"Opposition is the only real option we have," Herzog said during the first meeting of the faction since the publication of the election results.

Herzog pledged to form "a worthy, real alternative" to the "narrow radical rightwing" coalition that Netanyahu is expected to line up.

"We are heading towards reality in which we will continue to lead a big and strong bloc that wants a Jewish, democratic, safe and just country," he said.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said he will begin on Sunday a series of consultations with the elected parties in the 20th Knesset (parliament) on the formation of the next government.

Tallying 99 percent of the ballots, results show Netanyahu's right wing Likud party garnered 30 seats in a 120-seat parliament, while the center-left Zionist Union won 24 seats. Endit