The deal to include Tzipi Livni and her tiny 6-seat party in the coalition government came out of left field, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly opposing letting her anywhere near the coalition and Livni explicitly ruling out joining a Netanyahu government repeatedly during the campaign.

It is a game-changer, but not necessarily one making many people happy on any side. Livni’s supporters are up in arms, noting that her “head the peace talks” position likely means very little with the far-right government she’s joining full of people who want to stop peace on general principle.

Even more angry however are the presumptive “winners” of this pact, the Likud Party, with many top members complaining that Livni’s ministries are disproportionately powerful and that she is going to undermine far-right legislation they were hoping to push through.

Particularly at issue is the Justice Ministry, as Likud officials say that it will allow Livni to essentially block legislation on legal grounds, though some expressed hopes that she “won’t do anything in the ministry, as was the case when she headed it in the past.”

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• In Drills, US and Jordan Prepare to Attack Syria - June 18th, 2013
• UN Chief Urges Easing of 1990 Iraq Sanctions - June 18th, 2013
• Four US Soldiers Killed in Attack on Afghan Base - June 18th, 2013
• DHS Wants Same Surveillance Powers as NSA - June 18th, 2013
• G8 Backs Syria Peace Talks, Doesn't Demand Regime Change - June 18th, 2013