Veteran Israeli politicians are a tough breed, one that endures and permits a political survival instinct to dominate all else. This may be the case for Kadima leader MK Shaul Mofaz. Mofaz, a former IDF chief of staff began his political journey as a defense minister in Likud. He then migrated to Kadima, and after successfully ousting Tzipi Livni as party leader had a grand vision for the elections for the 19th Knesset.
To his dismay, shortly before the deadline compelling candidates to announce their affiliation, the Kadima star lineup abandoned ship, most opting to join Tzipi Livni and her new The Movement Party. Be that as is may Kadima etched by the minimum threshold and Mofaz will head the two man strong Kadima Party in Knesset.
Realizing the realities of being half of a two-man party in Knesset, Mofaz has already entered into a dialogue with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, and if he succeeds in reaching an agreement, he may find himself a senior member of the next cabinet.
If Mofaz joins Lapid it will give Yesh Atid 21 seats. Perhaps more importantly, he will give Yesh Atid the right to demand the defense minister post. At present, even Lapid agrees that while his party’s size grants him the right to make such a demand, he and his colleagues lack the experience for the post. Mofaz however would be the man who has the qualifications, and perhaps, we may see him as the defense minister in the next coalition.
Adding to Mofaz’s good fortune is the fact that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert supported him in the elections, and he, Olmert, maintains good ties with Lapid, so it is likely the former Kadima leader will be going to bat for his colleague.
Yesh Atid released a statement in response to the report that it does not make public statements pertaining to ongoing coalition talks.
Mofaz released a statement congratulating Lapid on his party’s victory.
The lesson, in Israeli politics one is not done until one is done and in this case, we see that a party with only two seats may actually earn the defense ministry post.
Have you checked out YWN Radio yet? Click HERE to listen!
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
5 Responses
Look, the people of Israel have spoken. Yesh Atid is the 2nd largest party and Yair Lapid deserves to be made defense minister, just like Ehud Barak was in the previous government. Anything less would be a slap in the face to the public.
no! the writer is a astute person and knows the truth! a mentch tracht un gut lacht truly applies only to israeli politics!
Good story, and well written.
The problem is that Iair Lapid lacks the experiemce needed to be defense minister, something that Ehud Barak has in abuindence.
Actually, Israeli politics can be alot of fun if you don’t take it too seriously,
“Kadima to the bomb shelters!”