MK Tzipi Livni announced today that she won't be standing in the upcoming Knesset elections. In bowing out of the political race, she launched an attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I was first elected to the Knesset 20 years ago in the Jewish State, where there is equality for everyone. I have kept my Zionist values and I worked to protect the Jewish majority and consolidate recognition of us as the Jewish State. Separating peacefully from the Palestinians is necessary if we are to maintain our identity and our values."
But she added, "Peace has become a vulgar word and democracy is under attack. Attempts to separate from the Palestinians have been replaced by notions of annexation that will lead to a Palestinian majority. The ruler has taken control of justice, and he attacks the free press, the law and legal enforcement system."
"I believed that all the partners in my way forward should unite around our values and work together to persuade people of the righteousness of our way - as one block and to create hope for change."
Livni's Hatnuah party joined the Labor party for the 2015 elections to form the Zionist Camp. But after Labor party leader Avi Gabbay unilaterally broke the alliance for this election, Livni has been unable to find another partner for her Hatnuah party. "I have the inner strength for this struggle but I do not have the political power to realize this way forward alone. I would never forgive myself, if votes were wasted. I am grateful to everybody who has believed in me."
Livni was first elected to the Knesset in 1999 representing the Likud. She split from the party along with Ariel Sharon in 2005 to form the Kadima party serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs. After Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left politics to stand trial for corruption, she nearly succeeded him but failed to form a coalition. Livni served as Justice Minister in Netanyahu's government in 2013/14 but was fired by Netanyahu along with Finance Minister Yair Lapid for allegedly "undermining" the government, in a crisis that led to the 2015 elections.
In another development, the Knesset list of Benny Gantz's Israel Resilience Party is in advanced talks to unite with MK Orly Levy-Abekasis's Gesher party. Any merger must be finalized by Thursday, when Knesset lists must be submitted. Levy-Abekasis was a member of Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beitenu party but left during the current Knesset and formed her own independent faction.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on February 18, 2019
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2019