Livni: Gov't fails to represent Israel
Knesset plenum hears Opposition's no-confidence vote following raid on Gaza flotilla. Arab MK: Are we here as Israeli democracy's fashion accessory?
The Knesset plenum held a no-confidence vote Monday, following a motion to the effect by the Opposition.
The no-confidence vote cited the government's poor performance through the raid of the Gaza flotilla, and was supported by Kadima, Meretz, United Arab List-Ta'al, Hadash and Balad.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to offer the government's rebuttal to the no-confidence vote.
In an unusual step, Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni (Kadima) presented the motion of no-confidence personally, slamming the "government's attempt to escape responsibility and assign the criticism and blame for the Gaza raid's results to the IDF."
Livni also said that "the current government doesn’t represent the State of Israel to the world."
"It is not an ordinary thing, for the head of the Opposition to present the motion of no-confidence personally, but these are unusual days," she said.
"Israel's deterrence is largely based on the strength of the Israel Defense Forces, but also on our world standing and ties with the United States."
Livni said that Kadima will support moves meant to prevent an international inquiry into the events of the raid. She told members of the House that she asked Barak to order an internal inquiry mere hours after the sail, in order to avoid international pressure, which would result in an international investigation.
"We all believe that soldiers cannot be investigated. I heard the prime minister say so, as well, but that is not enough."
'PM should be the one interrogated'
"It is time for this government to stop second-guessing its every move. The prime minister should be the one interrogated and not the soldiers."
Livni expressed her support of the soldiers who participated in the deadly raid on the Turkish ship Marmara again: "All of Israel thanks the IDF and the Navy Commandos. Thank you for trying to exercise restraint first, but you did well to defend yourselves."
The Opposition chairwoman slammed the criticism she and her party members have come under in the past week: "I've heard the calls against this vote. We have been denounced practically as traitors. The fear of criticism is so great it leads to hatred."
As for Israel's PR fiasco, Livni said she was aware of the criticism, "But PR, for me, isn't the issue – it cannot replace policy."
Kadima's leader also addressed the leaders of the Arab public: "You will have plenty of opportunities to do the right thing and (right now) the right thing is not lending your support to Hamas.
"If you are honest, don't empower the factors which will impede peace, and as citizens of this country - do not cross the lines. And lines were crossed this week."
'We are not a fashion accessory'
Hadash Chairman Mohammad Barakeh took the podium and lashed out at Kadima, "for trying to imitate Yisrael Beiteinu, thinking it would pave the road back to the government."
Barakeh also spoke of the calls urging Barak to resign – at which point Barak attempted to stop the speech. The intervention led to lively debate about the similarities between the two's name, and segued the session for a while.
Back on point, Barakeh then spoke of the Arab MKs presence in the House: "Just this morning, someone asked me 'what are you doing there?' Is there anyone here that think we're here as the Israeli democracy's fashion accessory? Or maybe, that the fact that we're here means we support the Zionist Movement? Well then, why don't we go home and let you represent us."
Next, it was Meretz MK Ilan Ghilon's turn to speak. Ghilon urged the government to lift the Gaza blockade.
"We say we do not control Gaza – since when do we control its territorial waters? The (Gaza) port should by under the control of an international force."
Ghilon urged the government to agree to an international inquiry of the events.
Meretz's section of the no-confidence motion was titled "the decision making process, discretion, and military orders and limitations which resulted in the Gaza raid fiasco."
The Arab parties' section of the no-confidence motion focused on the Gaza blockade and "the Israeli government piratical policies."
