Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni stated that between [Shas Party leader] Eli Yishai and [former Shinui leader] Tommy Lapid and between Agudat Yisrael and Meretz there is the Kadima Party – stating there is not a vacuum, but a reality, her party.

Livni made her comments in a Kadima faction meeting, touching on last week’s Jerusalem Municipal Court decision to overturn the long-standing Chametz Law, clearing the way for the sale of chametz in the Holy City this Pesach.

Livni stated that while she personally does not agree with the chareidim on many issues, there is merit to maintaining the Jewish character of the state, and Jewish values, citing this year marks the 60th year since the State of Israel declared its independence.

“Every child knows what democracy is but when you ask what is the Jewish State” she stated rhetorically, the response is not always a welcome one.

She expressed her belief that since the chareidi parties took control of religious issues; they have locked out other ways of life, a move she calls unfortunate.

The senior minister lamented the political ways and the emphasis on budgetary matters, stating as a result, even when one speaks of Pesach and tradition it is tied into the issues of political manipulation, pros and cons. She hinted at the fact that many are pleased the Pesach law was overturned as a ‘pay back’ to Shas which uses its political leverage to create many unwanted realities in Israeli life.

“Kadima must serve as a bridge between the secular and the religious. We must adopt a definitive policy,” she added.

Her comments were taken from the meeting following the court decision. The meeting was not called to discuss the Pesach issue, and as such, it was not a dominating issue, but it may become increasingly important if Shas decides to use the Pesach issue to create a coalition crisis, a move that most analysts believe is only a matter of time.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)