MKs on Barak: Israeli politics hit new low

Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, United Torah Judaism, Shas and Habayit Hayehudi MKs voted in favor of the move, Kadima members were opposed and a Meretz MK abstained.  

Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni responded to the Labor split during a Kadima faction meeting Monday afternoon, calling on the Netanyahu government to "lose the small political maneuvers" and call elections.

"This is a sad day for Israeli politics," Livni said. "The Netanyahu government is a narrow government crumbling from the inside for lack of choice due to political decay and the absence of a vision and road.

"The Netanyahu government lost its legitimacy today and is living off small political maneuvers. The only way for political opportunism is elections, and Kadima is reiterating its call for elections."

The opposition chairwoman slammed Barak and his friends, saying that "the public in Israel sees its leaders, who will sell anything for a seat, abandon their road, past and heritage for a dubious present time at the expense of the State's future.

"Since the elections, Kadima has been loyal to its voters and is not selling itself for free," she added. Livni criticized Prime Minister Netanyanu, "who is busy with his survival."

The move was also slammed earlier by politicians from the Meretz and Kadima parties, while other lawmakers took advantage of the situation to mock the split party.

MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima) complimented Netanyahu on the move. "We should say 'well done' to the prime minister. He succeeded, and Ehud Barak has revealed himself once again as executing the National Union's policy.

"This is not what Ehud Barak was elected for. Ehud Barak was elected by sane people seeking a peace settlement. This announcement is an announcement on the end of peace. Ehud Barak is informing us today that he is joining (Foreign Minister Avigdor) Lieberman."

His fellow party member Yohanan Plesner eulogized the Labor Party: "A party with a glorious past, which fails to honor its past. A dying party emphasizing all the bad aspects of politics. I think this is a sad day. Mr. Netanyahu will buy anything."

MK Uri Orbach (Habayit Hayehudi) said that "the Labor Party of the past few years is a story of a long tail wagging a small dog. Today the dog decided to separate from the tail, and rightfully so. I believe this is a necessary move, but it's not a simple day. We congratulate you. I wish you luck and foresee failure."

Labor's coalition partner, Yisrael Beiteinu, did not remain silent either. "We are laughing and joking, but at the end of the day it's an unfortunate move," said MK Robert Ilatov. "We accept this request because we usually accept political groups' requests to split."

MK David Rotem said that "the Labor Party has not been a party for a long time now. There are MKs in the government and Knesset who have no respect for the coalition or the commitments they have taken upon themselves."

'A positive change'

Labor's senior ministers were surprised by Barak's announcement Monday morning.

Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report

• Follow Ynetnews on Facebook