Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter formally announced his candidacy in the Kadima primary elections at a supporter's rally in Herzliya on Tuesday evening, joining Ministers Tzipi Livni, Shaul Mofaz and Meir Sheetrit in the race to succeed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
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"Everything that I have given the State of Israel in my 37 years of service – does not hold a candle to what the country has given me. I connected with Sharon's vision of a different kind of politics. And I ask now where that vision has disappeared to? What happened to it? Did it fall in January 2006 as Sharon fell into his coma? Did we join then to take part in today's sort of campaign – built on placards?"
Dichter in Herzliya on Tuesday (Photo: Yaron Brener)
Wasting no time, Dichter went immediately on the offensive against frontrunners Livni and Mofaz: "My goal is to reunite Israel. Not phony unity – but a sense that we are all in the same boat, and moving in the same direction."
Earlier in the day Dichter won the endorsement of Maj. Gen. (res) Amiram Levine, who launched his own assault on Dichter's main rivals: "Is this the time to gamble? A responsible voter cannot gamble with Israel's future at a time like this. And those who do not want to gamble should vote for Dichter."
Only one Kadima MK graced Dichter's rally, Shai Hermesh, who explained he was in attendance as a personal friend of the minister.
Dichter, whose performance in the polls is dismal, has said of his candidacy: "It may seem as through I am a lonely candidate, but I am not alone – there are a great many with me, working voluntarily."
Earlier in the day a number of top Kadima officials publically endorsed Mofaz's bid, including Tourism Minister Ruhama Avraham and MKs Otniel Schneller and David Tal.
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