Mofaz asserts he is the only option against Netanyahu, while Livni says a Kadima led by her rival would be a "Likud B."
By JPOST.COM STAFFmofaz livni(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
A day ahead of the Kadima primary, leadership candidates Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz on Monday both expressed confidence in winning.In an interview with Israel Radio, Livni said a Mofaz-led Kadima would simply be a "Likud B.""I plan on leading Kadima," Livni said. Her "Likud B" label implied that Mofaz would more willingly join a unity government with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.Asked whether she regretted her own decision not to join Netanyahu's government after the last election, when she failed build a ruling coalition, Livni responded with a quick, "No."She went on to add that she had made the decision based on her values and the values of Kadima's voters. If Netanyahu had offered a centrist platform such as passing a constitution, she said, she would have happily joined. "I am today personally paying the price for that decision," Livni said.When complimented on her energetic campaigning, Livni took another swipe at Netanyahu, saying that while her message encouraged voters, "When Netanyahu was in the opposition, he made an effort not to be heard" so as not to remind people what he was like as Prime Minister, she said.Meanwhile in an interview with Army Radio, Mofaz dismissed Livni, along with Labor leader Shelly Yachimovich and Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On as options to rival Netanyahu, asserting that aside from himself there is no other alternative to stand against the prime minister.Expressing confidence that he would win the race, Mofaz said, "these have been bad years for Israel under Netanyahu, and I intend to stand against him."He emphasized that Kadima would put social justice at top priority, and reiterated his stance in favor of a national-unity government. "Kadima is the party that will put Israel back on right path," he affirmed.
