Mofaz nixes 'detention bill'

Kadima Party Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz announced Saturday that he had decided to remove from the agenda the "detention bill," designed to make it harder for MKs to split from their parties and form new factions.

The bill, proposed by Tzipi Livni's replacement, MK Yuval Zellner last week, was scheduled to be debated in the Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs on Sunday.

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According to existing legislation, which is called after Mofaz, a third of the party members, or just seven MKs are required in order to split into a different faction.

However, in an effort to block Kadima "rebels" who voiced disagreement with the new chairman and his decision to join a unity government, Mofaz and other party members proposed a bill that would set a higher threshold and make it more difficult to quit the faction.

The "detention bill" met fierce opposition within the party, including Mofaz supporters, who said it would only accelerate the division within Kadima.

However, after holding personal conversations with Kadima MKs, Mofaz finally decided to shelve the idea, telling his party members that he is attentive to their concerns and therefore will not move forward with the bill.

So far, five Kadima MKs have indicated their intention to split from the party, and two additional MKs have expressed potential interest in joining the "rebels."

Mofaz' bureau stated in response that the move was part of a confidence-building measure aimed at uniting against the many tasks and challenges that lie ahead, starting with the Tal Law.

"If someone decided to quit, there is a limit to how much power you can hold," said a source privy to the party chairman.

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