Opposition leader: Vote on IDF service for ultra-orthodox central to Kadima platform, unacceptable for members to refrain from participating.
By JPOST.COM STAFFMK Tzipi Livni (Kadima) 311(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni (Kadima) on Saturday slammed members of her own party for not showing up to a key vote this week on mandatory military and civilian service for the ultra-orthodox."Kadima is fighting for a principle central to its platform," she explained, saying that it is unacceptable for party members to refrain from participating."Each member of Knesset makes decisions according to his own personal considerations, but the public sees everything," she warned. "After my victory in the primaries, whoever doesn't accept my ways and the party's decisions should look for a position elsewhere."Livni also contended that "you don't need the High Court in order to determine that equality requires the service of every citizen.""I believe there is a place for the yeshiva world in the state," the opposition leader added. "But it has become a refuge for people who don't serve or work.""There can't be real unity unless everyone contributes to society - Jews and Arabs, secular and religious people - in military, civilian, or national service."
