“You opted for a bris with the chareidim instead of a bris with the Zionist majority” stated Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz in his letter of resignation submitted on Tuesday evening. The letter takes effect in 48 hours, at which time MK Mofaz will resume serving as opposition leader, replacing the current leader MK Shelly Yacimovich, who heads the Labor party.

Likud officials accuse Mofaz of being overly concerned with his own political future instead of addressing the challenge, the historic bill that will create new realities regarding “sharing the burden”.

The prime minister plans to move ahead in Knesset and present a new Tal Law based on the position of Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon, who announced that he envisions 6,000 chareidim in the military by 2016 if not earlier, pointing out this will represent a significant accomplishment. Ya’alon continues to maintain that true change will only be seen as a result of dialogue and agreement, not sanctions, fines and imprisonment.

Speaking to the press last week, Ya’alon stated that MK (Kadima) Yochanan Plesner, who headed the Plesner Committee, was not genuinely interested in a new draft law but preferred to focus his efforts on imprisoning and punishing chareidim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)