Sukkot offers a chance for MKs to redefine 'party' politics

The week-long Sukkot holiday has begun, and with it, the traditional round of parties. For ordinary people, these are mere social events, but for politicians, they represent an opportunity to spread their messages and to shore up or demonstrate political support.

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) took advantage of the annual Sukkot party he hosted yesterday at his home in Moshav Kfar Ahim to do the former.

"A Likud-led government will not concede the Temple Mount, the Old City and the Western Wall, as the Olmert-Livni government did," he vowed, referring to the previous government, led by prime minister Ehud Olmert and foreign minister Tzipi Livni.

His party this year was larger than in previous years, with some 2,000 Likud activists, ministers and Knesset members in attendance - perhaps due to Likud's return to power, and/or the prosecution's recent decision to close an investigation against Katz over alleged political appointments. The ministers present included Moshe Ya'alon, Dan Meridor, Moshe Kahlon and Yuli Edelstein.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not there, but was praised by all those who were, indicating that his government is currently under no threat of internal strife.

Farther north, in Kochav Yair, the Kadima party's number two, MK Shaul Mofaz, hosted his own Sukkot gathering, attended by some 500 party activists and MKs. The event included a surprise appearance by one invited guest whom few had expected to show: Livni, his party chairwoman and long-time rival, with whom he has been at odds for months because of his desire to move up Kadima's leadership primary.

For Mofaz, the event was a show of political strength following his narrow loss to Livni in last year's leadership primary.

Mofaz spoke to the gathering about Kadima's return to power, which he said would happen very soon. "We will propose an orderly diplomatic program and a diplomatic horizon," he said. "Kadima has the best team in the State of Israel."

For anyone who still suspects Mofaz of planning to return to Likud, his former party, the event sent a clear message that his goal is rather to capture Kadima's leadership.

Tomorrow, Livni will hold her own Sukkot party for Kadima MKs and activists. And whether intentionally or not, that event will serve as an informal test of strength in her ongoing competition with Mofaz.