Kadima MK slams Olmert over 'radical leftist' plan

Former PM's remarks during Geneva Initiative conference stir controversy within his party. MK Schneller calls on Chairwoman Livni to 'denounce' statements, while MK Itzik says without initiative 'situation could be thousand times worse'

Roni Sofer|Published: 09.20.10 , 10:50

Member of Knesset Otniel Schneller (Kadima) on Monday slammed former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's comment on the Geneva Initiative, and urged his party members to stand firmly at the center of the political map, and not align with supporters of the initiative.

Olmert, who participated in a Geneva Initiative conference on Sunday, spoke about the two state solution based on '67 borders and the division of Jerusalem.

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Schneller, who lives in the settlement of Ma'ale Mikhmas called on Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni to convene the party's institutions and determine the party's political policy.

"Olmert's suggestion to divide Jerusalem, relinquish the sovereignty over the Holy City and Temple Mount, return to the 1967 borders and allow tens of thousands of refugees to live in Jaffa, Haifa and Beersheba is a radical leftists plan," He said.

"Kadima is a center party and its leaders must denounce Olmert's statements," he concluded.

MK Dalia Itzik, the chairwoman of Kadima faction in the Knesset, addressed Schneller's call to convene the party's institutions and said, "Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was compelled to initiate a political process in order to secure Israel's interests.

"The core idea behind the Initiative is also accepted by the current prime minister and its essence is two states for two nations that will guarantee a Jewish democratic majority in Israel."

Itzik added that "Olmert has proven that without an Israeli initiative, the situation could be a thousand times worse. Israel might pay a full price in the international arena. Olmert's initiative is welcomed, and must not be slandered."