Mofaz supporters vow to stand by Livni

Despite transportation minister's dramatic decision to take a break from politics, claims of irregularities in Kadima primary elections, Mofaz's associates express their support for newly elected chairwoman. 'From now on we are a united camp,' says MK Schneller

Amnon Meranda|Published: 09.19.08 , 01:25

A demonstration of unity: Several hours after Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz's dramatic announcement that he has decided to "take a break" from political life, senior officials in his election campaign vowed to stand by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the newly elected Kadima chairwoman, despite their claims of irregularities in the ruling party's primary elections.

Knesset Member Otniel Schneller, one of Mofaz's main supporters, told Ynet on Thursday night, "The State of Israel needs a party like Kadima. From now on we are a united camp."

Time Out

Mofaz says will take break from politics

Amnon Meranda

After losing Kadima primaries to Livni, Mofaz tells supporters he will take a rest from politics, won't seek role in Knesset or government; he also informs Livni he won't attend meeting in which sources say she planned to ask him to cooperate in leading party

Mofaz says will take break from politics

Livni beat Mofaz by only 1.1% in Wednesday's primary elections.

The Kadima faction is expected to convene Friday morning for its first post-primaries meeting. Livni is expected to praise unity and clarify that she plans to unite the party and lead it to a new road.

Sources close to the foreign minister said Thursday night that she will try and convince Mofaz not to retire from politics and to lead the party together with her.

Mofaz, however, called off his meeting with Livni scheduled for Friday morning. He is likely not to resign from his position as transportation minister until a new government is formed.

In the meantime, his supporters have decided to play by the rules and work to unite the party.

"I spoke to Livni last night and congratulated her," said MK Schneller. "I told her we will all stand behind her as one."

He went on to criticize the media. "There is not one citizen in the State of Israel who is now aware of the fact that the media took sides in this election. It's absolutely frustrating that the media essentially decided who won't be prime minister and who will be prime minister.

"It's sad that such a thing can happen in a democratic regime. But I have no complaints. We are used to it. This is the culture here – deciding who you want and who you don’t."

'Media targeted Mofaz'

MK Ronit Tirosh also believes that Kadima must now recover. "We have no choice. This party wants to live and has a right to exist," she explained.

She went on to say that Mofaz was hurt. "He feels that as long as he contributed and did not seek to govern, it was nice and fitting for everyone. When he wanted to govern, they began abusing and hurting him.

"This was expressed in a multitude of harsh statement against him without thinking that here is a sensitive person who only wants to contribute. He is not made of the stuff politicians are made of. The media targeted him."

Another aide to Mofaz, MK David Tal, ruled that "the media, along with the pollsters, and with the orchestration of Judge Dan Arbel, chairman of the election committee, stole the party from Mofaz.

"Even before the Knesset members decided who to endorse polls were published in the media with big gaps in favor of Livni. There are at least two Knesset members who I know should have gone with Mofaz because of his views, but the false surveys made them go with Livni in order to be on the winning side."

According to Tal, the transportation minister decided to take a break after being "fed up" with the attitude towards him.

"We tried with all our might to convince him to reconsider this 'time out,' and I hope the tears of pain of some of his supporters will eventually cause him to change his decision," he said.