Political analysts in Israel have already been maspid Kadima leader MK Shaul Mofaz, explaining that his entry into the coalition to spearhead a new Tal Law, the subsequent failure and finally his exit from the coalition marked the end of the party and Mofaz’s political career. Most analysts feel Kadima will not be on the political map following the next general elections.

Mofaz, a former IDF chief of staff and defense minister is not about to give up without a fight, and he is lashing out in a number of directions as his party crumbles from under him.

A number of Kadima MKs, Otniel Schneller, Avraham Duan, Yulia Shamalov-Berkovich and Aryeh Bibi have already negotiated their place back in Likud in exchange for official position but in order for Likud to complete the deal, seven MKs are required to break from the party. MKs Shai, Bielski, Edri and Abesadze announced on Sunday night that they planned to migrate to Likud, but apparently got cold feet and retracted, leaving the others out in the cold.

Seeking to justify the move, the MKs stated the new Kadima no longer represents their political philosophy and therefore, the decision to shift to Likud, the former home for some of them.

Realizing the political carpet is being pulled out from under him, Mofaz lashed out angrily at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, blaming him for courting the MKs and seeking to undermine Kadima’s stability. Mofaz spoke of “64 years of moral injustice” when mentioning the failed efforts to draft a new law demanding chareidim serve in the IDF, explaining he was hopeful the prime minister would be loyal to the citizens of Israel and finally act to correct this injustice. He called the prime minister’s behavior “disgraceful” and insists that anyone supporting a chareidi enlistment only at the age of 26 is not serious about correct the injustices of the past.

He spoke of the “political blackmail” and the unacceptable behavior of the parties involved, accusing the prime minister of “never missing an opportunity to miss and opportunity” accusing him of being “afraid to make the tough decisions”.

Mofaz patted himself on the back for leaving the coalition and returning to lead the opposition, insisting this was proof of the party’s legitimate intentions and rejected all accusations that he and his colleagues were simply seeking cabinet appointments.

Mofaz added “Mr. prime minister, you have proven you are not suited to lead” and vowed Kadima will continue the battle to correct the injustice surrounding the ‘sharing the burden’ issue until all citizens of the state share this burden equally.

While the four failed in their effort to move to Likud, lacking the minimum of seven required, Mofaz is now working to have them ousted from the party.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)