Mofaz causes stir in Kadima
Party seniors have hard time coming to grips with statements made by MK accusing chairwoman Livni of arrogance, lack of leadership, claiming acts during 2008 primaries 'bordered on criminal'
Kadima is ablaze over Knesset Member Shaul Mofaz's statements against chairwoman Tzipi Livni over the weekend prompting senior MKs to strongly condemn his remarks.
Some MKs accused Mofaz of trying to "burn down the club" and "lead to Kadima's demise" while one even went so far as to call him a "wretched man." According to one remark Mofaz "had removed himself from the Kadima family."
Livni and Mofaz in better days (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
During an interview with Haaretz published over the weekend, Mofaz claimed that the 2008 primaries results in which Tzipi Livni won were tampered with, and said that the acts committed "bordered on criminal." He further claimed that Livni wasn't a leader and had made huge strategic mistakes. He also accused the chairwoman of arrogance.
One party senior close to Livni said over the weekend that he wasn't sure a withdrawal by Mofaz from the party along with some other "deserters" would be harmful to Kadima. He noted, "If Mofaz leaves after the remarks he made, the rally around Livni would only be greater." Many MKs agree that from a public point of view there is no current alternative to Livni's leadership.
Livni after winning 2008 Kadima primaries (Photo: AFP)
The chairwoman's associates held checks in recent days with faction members in an attempt to examine their stance concerning Mofaz's demand to hold primaries for party leadership within three months. Currently a large majority opposes the idea. The results are compatible with a poll among MKs held by Ynet last week which revealed that faction members object to moving up the elections.
However, a substantial amount of MKs claimed in private talks that the party codex should be reviewed again to allow holding the primaries in a greater gap from the general elections. Livni herself is undecided on the matter and is set to hold a round of consultations in order to reach a decision.
Elements in Kadima are looking into possibilities of perusing legal action against MKs who negotiated with the Likud. According to one legal opinion those MKs who sought a division in the party could be withheld from being appointed as ministers and running for Knesset elections.
As for Mofaz, sources close to the MK said that despite the grave allegations against the primaries' integrity there wasn't enough evidence to file a complaint with the police. However, more material is currently being collected in an effort to prove irregularities which will either be turned over to the police or leaked to the press.
