In discussions with colleagues, Knesset Speaker (Likud) Reuven Rivlin explains he is between a rock and a hard place regarding the bill dubbed “Mofaz Law” which intends to permit seven MKs to break away from a party and form a new political entity, replacing the current demand that the rebels are at least one-third of the party they are breaking away from.

It is clear to all the bill intends to open the door for Kadima MK Shaul Mofaz and his supporters to break away from Kadima and strike a deal to enter the ruling coalition. While such a reality is a welcome one for the prime minister, strengthening his coalition while simultaneously delivering a blow to the opposition leader, Rivlin feels that the law is unworthy and as such, he does not plan to permit the Knesset plenum to vote on it this week, despite significant pressure to do just that from the Prime Minister’s Office. The bill is a high priority for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, but Rivlin explains that opposition leader MK Tzipi Livni explained this bill is a threat to fair play and maintaining a democratic government of rule, apparently in line with Rivlin’s opinion.

At present, it appears Rivlin plans to freeze the bill since he too feels it does not represent respectable legislation. If this is indeed the case, the chasm between the prime minister and the Knesset speaker will just widen. Relations are already strained following Rivlin’s criticism of Mr. Netanyahu’s Bar Ilan address, with Rivlin, a veteran member of the party and longtime revisionist rejecting any hint at the establishment of a Palestinian state in Eretz Yisrael.

The coalition on the other hand appears determined to push the bill through, promising a stormy week in Knesset.

Livni will do her utmost to prevent the bill from passing into law as she realizes she is losing support among party members and if the bill does pass, Mofaz may take a sizable number of Kadima MKs with him, delivering a measurable blow to the opposition leader.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)