Mofaz: Kadima staying in government

Kadima chair says party will not exit coalition at this time; but will do so unless viable alternative to bill regulating haredim's IDF service is presented

Moran Azulay|Last update: 07.11.12 , 22:51

Kadima is not withdrawing from the Coalition – for now. Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday night in an attempt to bridge their differences over the need for a universal service law as an alternative to Tal Law. No progress was made.

Kadima sources expressed pessimism over the meeting, saying that "there were no breakthroughs or bust ups at the meeting. Tomorrow we will try to exhaust all options in negotiations. "

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Earlier, Mofaz convened his faction and stressed that "Without a historical decision we will not remain in the government. This is a crisis, but this is also an opportunity – and we are on a tight schedule."

Mofaz added that the party will not accept "empty legislation" and will demand that any bill formulated will be enforceable.

"Kadima has authorized me to negotiate further and make the proper decision," Mofaz said at the of the meeting.

Earlier, Kadima sources said that this was the biggest crisis between Netanyahu and Mofaz since the Plesner Committee, tasked with devising alternatives for universal draft was dissolved.

Mofaz had blamed the prime minister for reneging in previously agreed-upon points regarding the draft age, exemption quotas and individual sanctions for draft-dodgers.

Kadima said that all the most important points highlighted in the Plesner Report, had been rejected.

In an attempt to prevent a crisis that would see Kadima exit the Coalition, MK Yohanan Plesner and Vice Premier Moshe Ya'alon met Tuesday to try and formulate the bill, which Netanyahu pledged to bring before the government next week; but the talks deadlocked.