Former Labor Chairman Amram Mitzna held a press conference Sunday to officially announce that he is joining Hatnua, the new party led by Tzipi Livni.
"The State of Israel is heading towards an election that features one candidate for prime minister, with no alternative. What's wrong with us? Is there really no one out there who can be the prime minister but Netanyahu? The upcoming election will be either Bibi or Tzipi Livni… I have made my choice," he said.
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"This election is about replacing a failed government featuring a dangerous Likud roster."
Mitzna, who headed Labor in 2003 and recently ran for Labor's chairmanship again and lost to Shelly Yachimovich, said he did not hesitate to join the former Kadima chairwoman.
Livni and Mitzna (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
According to Mitzna, he and Livni "Share similar political, social and ideological values… I hear the criticism and I hear the cynicism and I won't accept them. This is our home and I won't give up. I can't just sit on the sidelines and not take some responsibility for the fate of this country.
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"This is the time and the place to make a difference. This leadership has proven political, social and military experience and Livni is the only viable candidate for prime minister and the public knows that."
As for his former party, Mitzna said that while Labor has presented a "good list of candidates" for the elections, it is not in a position to present an alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
"Voting for Labor is voting for a narrow agenda."
Livni told reporters that her party symbolizes "Going back and fighting for our home; fighting against radicalization and narrow nationalism.
"I cannot fight this fight on my own and I'm proud to have Amram Mitzna by my side."
Yuval Karni is a Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth correspondent
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