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Last update - 22:47 25/08/2008
Mofaz slams Livni for supporting release of Palestinian prisoners
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel, Tzipi Livni 

Transportation Minister and Kadima leadership contender Shaul Mofaz on Monday lashed out at his rival Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni for promoting last week's cabinet decision to release 199 Palestinian prisoners.

"The release of the Palestinian prisoners today, when Gilad Shalit is still in captivity, leaves a very bad taste," Mofaz said, referring to the Israel Defense Forces soldier who was abducted by Gaza militants in June 2006.

"Making bad decisions is worse than making no decisions at all, and the evidence is that this year we've released 700 Palestinian prisoners in return for nothing at all."
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"Livni was the one who promoted the release," he continued. "We need a firm and resolute leadership that would stand for Israel's prime interests - namely, the release of Gilad Shalit. We will be required to release prisoners in exchange for Shalit and they should be kept in custody until then."

"The release was a grave mistake and I'm urging the government not to surrender Israel's strategic assets," Mofaz added.

Earlier on Monday, Mofaz's associates attacked Livni's vote in favor of the budget.

"Again, she compromised. Again, she succumbed to pressure and made the wrong decision," they said.

Livni's associates said they would rather refrain from "low vilifications, which emanate from the hysteria the Mofaz campaign is in due to his poor ratings."

"Livni's stance has been, from the outset, against politicizing the process," they continued. "She maintains that we must not allow the primaries hinder the economy and therefore it was essential to vote in favor of the budget and amend it, if necessary, after the primaries."

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit made clear on Monday night that he intended to run for the Kadima leadership "till the victory." An advisor denied previous reports that Sheetrit had met with Livni to discuss prospective cooperation.

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