Yachimovich and Livni to meet to discuss bloc against PM Netanyahu

‏          The Likud-Beiteinu has responded to statements by Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich and Hatnua Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, both of whom signaled they might be ready to join forces ahead of the elections. "Clearly, the left is trying to unite in order to topple Netanyahu," the joint party said in a statement, vowing to oppose the bloc "in order to keep Israel safe and protect and its interests.‏ With less than three weeks left before the elections, Labour Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich and Hatnua Chairwoman Tzipi Livni signaled that they are entertaining the possibility of joining forces to topple Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu . The 2 are expected to meet in the coming days. Shortly after Livni announced in a Channel 2 interview that she intends to seek meetings with fellow centrist party leaders, she received a text message from Yachimovich inviting her to meet at the latter's home.‏ In the interview, Livni called for the creation of a formidable centrist bloc that would make sure the next government isn't a "radical, extremist and ultra-orthodox" one. She further promised to contact Yachimovich and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid as soon as Saturday to discuss such an endeavor. "Especially in light of the public's despair, we, as leaders, cannot give up," she said. "The fact that the Likud Beiteinu is dropping in the polls poses an opportunity to join forces… I call on Yair Lapid and Shelly Yachimovich to work together to generate hope and create an effective political force that would replace Netanyahu."‏ Livni said that a joint centrist bloc would be larger than the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu parties, which have merged ahead of the elections. "I have no doubt that the creation of such a bloc will convince many of the undecided to vote (for us)," she said. ‏ Meretz Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On has said that her party welcomes Hatnua Chairwoman Tzipi Livni's initiative to get the centrist parties to join forces and create a formidable bloc to face their opponents. "Meretz supports the initiative to create a union that would block Netanyahu, and if the three party leaders decide (to promote) one candidate and make a commitment to deter a dangerous rightist government, we will endorse that candidate," she said. "Good to know that Lapid, Yachimovich and Livni have been reenergized."