'A diplomatic agreement, not a surrender'

"We've had zero failures for the government in Knesset votes," Coalition Chairman MK Yariv Levin (Likud) said with a great measure of satisfaction. Still, he's sweating. He needs to chase down every lawmaker from every faction before every vote.

"This political union that has been formed is unusual," he said. "The ruling party, Likud, has 20 Knesset seats, which isn't even a third of the minimum 61 seats to form a majority bloc. This is a rare thing when compared to other parliaments."

Levin is not blind. He knows that there are many sharp disagreements within the coalition, which in his words is an "unnatural connection." There are also inexperienced MKs who are making his job harder. On top of that, there are the battles for succession within the parties.

"In contrast with the previous coalition, the heads of the parties in this government see themselves as people who are capable of replacing the prime minister," Levin said. "Some of them think they should've done it yesterday, and others believe that they will do so once they get a few more months of experience under their belt."

When asked how he resolves crises, Levin said: "There are two ways to manage a coalition. There's mutual paralysis or action, the finding of a common denominator. We'll decide what it is we agree on and these issues are easy. Fortunately, all of the parties have opted for the path of action, and the government and the coalition have scored some successes."

The government has touted three major legislative initiatives. "The issues that the coalition decided to push forward are the referendum law in the event of a diplomatic agreement, the conscription law, and a revamping of the system of governance," Levin said, vowing that all three of these bills will be approved by the Knesset during this current session.

"These are laws that have historic significance," the coalition chairman said.

"We have many crises that spring up during the process of legislation," Levin said. "Ultimately, though, if there is a desire to maintain this coalition, and most of the parties do wish to do this, then it is possible to overcome this. The only thing that could dismantle the government in the short, immediate term is the diplomatic issue. The prime minister is engaged in a hard battle. He inherited the Ehud Olmert concessions, and the fact that he managed to turn the wheels back on a number of issues is a tremendous achievement."

Last week, Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid and his party colleagues tried to spur the government toward a diplomatic agreement. Levin was not thrilled.

"This is something that shouldn't be done," he said. "This is exactly what happens when there is lack of experience. Being responsible requires [Lapid] to back Netanyahu when there is pressure on him from abroad, and not to apply more pressure on him from the domestic front. This makes things much more difficult."

"There is no real government headed by Likud which is capable of making concessions and giving up parts of the homeland and, God forbid, evacuating settlements," he said. "The prime minister isn't there, and he knows full well that our job is to be the counterweight to all of these irresponsible pressures."

"Each and every one of the coalition partners could be replaced, but not the Likud," Levin said. "This is the most important arena. There was one attempt to take the Likud even further rightward, but the primaries proved that those who are adhering to the traditional Likud position made some impressive gains."

If the prime minister moves toward a diplomatic arrangement, will he have support-

"I don't think a diplomatic agreement is tantamount to capitulation to everything that the other side demands," he said. "As long as the prime minister insists on our rights to this land, enables the progression of the settlement enterprise, and doesn't give up territory and uproot settlements and expel Jews from their homes, he has a stable government."

Before the elections, the prime minister said he was aiming for a two-state deal which would require hard decisions, including the acknowledgment that not all settlements will remain under Israeli control.

"What's important is the central policy that is being pursued," Levin said. "There are disagreements, but, as of today, we're not at that point. Even if there is an element to which the prime minister agrees and the majority of Likud doesn't see it that way, it's not on the table as it is, since the other side doesn't agree to anything."

Do you and other Likud members stand behind the statements of Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon, who said that whoever gives up the Jordan Valley has no place in Likud-

"First of all, Netanyahu is not at that point. Secondly, the Likud was elected to protect the Land of Israel. That is what we promised our voters. If the head of the party or anyone else in Likud comes and tells us that they want to adopt the policies of Meretz, then they are invited to join Meretz and gain its support. He can't do that in Likud. Ariel Sharon understood that this was impossible, so he founded Kadima. Today, more than ever before, there is a strong consensus within Likud. When the Jordan Valley law came up for a vote, everyone supported, including ministers."

Aren't the appointments you and deputy ministers made meant to restrain you in the diplomatic arena-

"My opinions are centrist positions in the Likud and the Likud represents centrist opinions among the people, so I don't think this is so. Yes, there are limitations with this job, but the advantages are greater than the disadvantages because the influence I wield is considerable."

Levin wants to move up.

"I'd like to be justice minister," he said. "I have a clear agenda. I think that we need a fundamental change in the criminal justice system and we need to put it back on a more Jewish, Zionist path. We need to give it all back to the people. The situation whereby judges pick themselves behind closed doors, try to impose their values on all of society, something that they haven't managed to do in Knesset elections, is something that is invalid to its core. I think that the attempt by the justice minister [Tzipi Livni] and Supreme Court president to create a constitutional court by forming a fourth branch is an anti-democratic move and an attempt to take over the system of government."

Until Levin gets his wish to be justice minister, he will continue doing his current job with zeal. Forty laws were passed in the previous government while 12 were passed in this government -- all sponsored by Levin.

"It's not the quantity, but the essence of the laws that is important," he said.

"It's not good to be in the same place too long. That explain my ambitions for the future."

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