Israel prime minister cancels early elections

JERUSALEM – In a stunning reversal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called off early elections today after reaching an agreement to broaden his coalition by including the main opposition party, which would put a more moderate face on his hawkish government.

President Shimon Peres’ office confirmed media reports earlier today that Netanyahu had reached an agreement to bring the centrist Kadima Party, parliament’s largest, into his governing coalition.

The move could have implications regarding a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and help Netanyahu fend off challenges over an array of issues from nationalist and religious parties in his current governing coalition.

The prime minister had set early elections in motion Monday by declaring his government would seek to hold them Sept. 4, more than a year ahead of schedule.

Kadima had resisted joining the government when former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was at the party’s helm because she did not think Netanyahu was serious about reaching a peace deal with the Palestinians. But Livni recently lost her bid to remain party leader to Shaul Mofaz.

Israeli media reports said that Mofaz would become a deputy prime minister in the new unity government. With Kadima in the government, Netanyahu could have broader backing to make concessions to the Palestinians and face added pressure to show restraint on Iran.