Kadima chairwoman refuses to allow cooperation with billionaire's party in Jerusalem mayoral elections after deal with Barkat falls through; may consider backing ultra-Orthodox candidate Meir Porush
Kadima chairwoman balks on doing business with Gaydamak. Tzipi Livni on Monday vetoed any possibility of cooperation between her party and that of the billionaire businessman Arcadi Gaydamak's party, Social Justice.
French Connection
42 face trial over French 'Angolagate' / AFP
Dozens of businessman, politicians and public figures, including Russian-Israeli businessman Aracdi Gaydamak and son of late French president Francois Mitterrand go on trial over a vast 'arms-to-Angola' scandal
During a nightly meeting with MKs Tzachi Hangebi and Yoel Hasson (Kadima), Livni stressed that Kadima and Social Justice would not work together to promote the parties' interests in the local municipality elections on November 11, and that this was "a matter of principle" for her.
The issue arose following the collapse of the coalition agreement Kadima had with Jerusalem mayoral candidate Nir Barkat. Senior party officials in the capital suggested that Kadima cooperate with Gaydamak in order to retain representation in the Jerusalem Municipality.
"The agreement with Barkat fell through," said MK Hasson. "We spoke of establishing other ties, and Gaydamak's name came up, but eventually we decided that Kadima opposes partnership with Gaydamak on principle."
However two of Kadima's Jerusalem officials, Eli Levy and Meir Panigel, have already decided to join the billionaire's roster, and will therefore take their leave of Kadima.
It remains to be seen who Livni's party will support in the Jerusalem mayoral race. Sources from within the party have hinted that Kadima may decide to back the ultra-Orthodox candidate, Rabbi Meir Porush. This may constitute something of a loss for Barkat, who had planned to tailor a roster attracting both the secular and religious sects of the city.
RSS
