The Kadima Party, formally known as Kadima Yisrael (Forward Israel), is an Israeli political party formed in November 2005 by then prime minister Ariel Sharon and leading Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum. The party was created following Sharon’s decision to break away from his own right-wing Likud Party after his plan to withdraw from Gaza and four West Bank settlements made him increasingly unpopular within the party.
During the establishment of Kadima, Sharon persuaded centrist political leaders from Labor and Likud to leave their own parties to join him. Among the notable politicians who defected to Kadima were Ehud Olmert, Meir Sheetrit, Roni Bar-On, Tzachi Hanegbi and Tzipi Livni from the Likud, and Shimon Peres, Haim Ramon and Dalia Itzik from Labor.
After Sharon suffered a series of strokes in 2005 which left him in a permanent coma, the leadership of Kadima was assumed by Ehud Olmert who led the party to a strong victory in the 2006 national elections, winning 29 of 120 Knesset seats. Some pundits speculated, however, that Kadima would have won closer to 40 seats has Peres been elected as leader.
Olmert resigned as party leader in 2008, following numerous allegations of corruption, and was replaced by Livni after a party leadership race against former IDF chief Shaul Mofaz, Sheetrit and former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter.
Following her victory, Livni was immediately charged with forming a new coalition government, but failed after she refused to agree to Shas' demands and instead called another nationwide election for February 2009.
In the 2009 elections, Kadima beat Likud by one Knesset seat, but Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu was asked by President Shimon Peres to form a government after it became apparent Livni was unable to do so. After her subsequent refusal to join Netanyahu’s government, Kadima became Israel’s opposition party and Livni the leader of the opposition.
At a fundraising event in London two weeks ago, the former prime minister, who was forced to resign in 2008 for corruption charges, stated his intention to give it another go in four years.
by Anshel Pfeffer 6 comments
Disagreements remain on subject of ultra-Orthodox military service; Lieberman outlines reforms to Israel's system of governance to be presented by new government; Mofaz's role in new coalition still unclear.
by Jonathan Lis and Yair Ettinger 4 comments
Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu and Yesh Atid and Habayit Hayehudi hashing out the the final details that will determine the nature of the new government.
by Jonathan Lis 13 comments
Shaul Mofaz's party just barely made it into the Knesset, but he might find himself defense minister.
by Jonathan Lis 3 comments
From Haaretz's post-election analysis, to a meeting of defense officials on chemical weapons in Syria; Haaretz brings you the top 8 headlines you might have missed.
by Haaretz 0 comments
In an unusually destructive round of voting, nearly half of Israel’ legislators will be leaving office, including most Kadima party members.
by Jonathan Lis 1 comments
All major networks agree that Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu won the most seats, 31, followed by Yesh Atid, with 18-19 seats, and Labor Party, with 17 seats.
by Haaretz 4 comments
In an interview on channel 2, Israel's former prime minister backed ex-Shin Bet chief Diskin for criticizing Netanyahu's conduct, blamed Barak for the Harpaz affair.
by Jonathan Lis and Gili Cohen 18 comments
Trying to understand why voters from the political center have to choose between competing parties, our correspondent speaks with three candidates - all of whom try to explain what has gone wrong.
by Ari Shavit 2 comments
As the Knesset's biggest party heads for the garbage heap of history, this former general can do nothing but ponder where he went wrong.
by Asher Schechter 1 comments
