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Last update - 08:10 05/08/2008
Kadima relieves Livni of vow to remain in party
By Mazal Mualem, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Tags: Kadima, Shaul Mofaz, Israel 

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will not be required to declare that she would not split from Kadima if she loses the leadership in the party primaries, Kadima MKs decided on Monday.

During their first meeting since Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced his intention to resign after the party primaries in September, Kadima faction members voted against a proposal, submitted by Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Tzachi Hanegbi, to require all candidates to declare their unconditional loyalty to the party.

Also on Sunday, Channel 10 quoted a Kadima official as saying that Livni had told him she does not intend to be the "party wallpaper." Livni had also allegedly said earlier that she would not throw her weight behind her leadership rival Shaul Mofaz if he leads the party in the oncoming elections.
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Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, also a leadership contender, spoke during the meeting in favor of the motion.

"Kadima is our home. One should not turn one's back on it," he said.

The faction members, however, voted in favor of MK Yohanan Plesner's proposal to hold a series of leaders debates in which the four candidates ? Livni, Mofaz, Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit ? will be given the opportunity to outline their policies.

Mofaz said during the meeting that "the Kadima manifesto is our way? General elections are not in Israel's best interest. Therefore, we should concentrate our efforts on showing unity and confidence in our ability to form a coalition."

Mofaz voted in favor of Hanegbi and Itzik's proposal.

Meanwhile, Coalition Chairman MK Yoel Hasson announced his support of Livni's leadership bid. In an improvised press conference, he said Kadima members should hurry up and make up their minds.

"The public clearly and consistently supports Tzipi," he said. "I intend to do my best to help her win, and if my fellow faction members do the same it will happen."

Related articles:
  • Livni under fire for refusing to vow to remain in Kadima
  • Defiant Mofaz vows to beat frontrunner Livni in Kadima race (2006)
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