(Jpost)."I don't think [Netanyahu] will say that [he's committed to a two-state solution], because he himself doesn't believe in it," Kadima MK Tzahi Hanegbi told The Jerusalem Post.
"Regardless, because of his deal to bring Labor into the government, Netanyahu is essentially tied to the Road Map. So between those two positions, he'll try and make something happen."
However, Hanegbi also played down the idea that Netanyahu's position would contrast starkly with the Americans'.
"The Americans are also not so optimistic about the abilities of the PA," Hanegbi said. "That said, I don't think they will ever give up on the demand of ongoing, genuine dialogue with the Palestinians, nor will they forgo the negotiations on the so-called 'core issues'.
"So I think [Netanyahu] will create a dialogue, but he won't necessarily commit, especially on issues such as Jerusalem, settlements or the nature of the Palestinian Authority," he continued. "But that's the test for the prime minister. He'll have to show the Americans some progress."
Hanegbi added that having served as justice minister in Netanyahu's previous government, he knew the premier to be less of hard-liner when it came to actually formulating agreements.
"Look at Hebron in 1997," Hanegbi said, refering to Netanyahu's agreement to withdraw from most of the West Bank city. "That was the first time Israel pulled out of a city under a right-wing government, and the first time it was done at all since Rabin was in office."
Hanegbi also dismissed the possibility of right-wing parties leaving the coalition if Netanyahu did, in fact, make significant concessions to the Palestinians.
"The National Union would have possibly left, but they're not in the government," Hanegbi said. "Habayit Hayehudi won't leave, nor will United Torah Judaism.
"And Shas, remember that Shas sat with Olmert, who brought up things that were much more controversial than Bibi is willing to consider. Even within the Likud, sure, they have their more ideological members, like Moshe Ayalon or Bennie Begin, but that won't be Netanyahu's problem.
"All [Netanyahu] has to do is continue dialogue with the Palestinians," Hanegbi said. "He has a lot of experience with the Americans, including senators and congressman, and the American media.
"My guess is that we won't see anything very dramatic for at least the next two years, and I don't believe that we'll see any dramatic changes to the previous progress made by previous governments."
