At odds? Livni and Mofaz
Photo: Amit Shabi
Kadima: Rogue MKs will be punished
Party sources say MKs who were planning to leave will be 'taught a lesson'; Likud sources say its' too early to know if attempt to split party was successful
The decision on whether Kadima will eventually split seems to have been deferred, but spirits in Israel's biggest party are still agitated.
Sources close to Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni criticized party Knesset members who were rumored to be in negotiation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates, calling them "corrupt."
Tensions
Attila Somfalvi
Kadima chairwoman turns down MK's request to set date for primary elections. 'We must let the public must decide between Livni's weakness and arrogance and Mofaz's leadership,' says aide to Kadima's No. 2 member
Livni's associates said she still has to decide whether to agree to Shaul Mofaz' request to hold primaries. She is expected to make her decision over the weekend.
The same source told Ynet that "now would be a good time to put the party in order, clean what needs cleaning and punish who needs to be punished."
Sources close to Mofaz added that they believe Livni would try to stall her decision on the primaries.
"I assume it won't be too long before Mofaz has to decide whether he accepts her position," said a Kadima MK. "If the primaries aren’t held within the next few months, it's likely that he may consider leaving the party."
Meanwhile, sources close to Netanyahu told Ynet that he is now waiting for the internal dynamics in Kadima to play out. "We are in the second phase of the split process and we have to wait and see what will happen.
"It would be a mistake to say that enough people in Kadima are willing to leave it at this point. We believe some more surprises are in stored."
