If negotiations with the Palestinians touch on Israel's thorny 'core issues' it would constitute sufficient grounds for Israel Beiteinu to leave the coalition, Strategic Affairs Minister and the party's chairman Avigdor Lieberman told Israel Radio Sunday.
While Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima-led coalition could stand without Israel Beiteinu - Kadima, Labor and Shas alone hold more than 60 Knesset seats - losing the eleven seats held by Lieberman's right-wing party would be a significant blow to the government.
Lieberman stressed that his party was not looking for reasons to leave the coalition, but was also not "seizing the horns of the altar." When asked if Israel Beiteinu was coordinating its position with Shas, Lieberman said: "Israel Beiteinu has a clear stance: No negotiations regarding the core issues."
Lieberman also criticized Israeli officials who called for the release of Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti from jail in exchange for captured IDF Cpl. Gilad Schalit, who has been held in Gaza for over 19 months. He said that Barghouti, if released, would not fight against Hamas but become its ally. 
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