'Lack of partnership with US due to PM's policies'

Mofaz attacks prime minister during a press conference at Knesset, says he has not achieved anything on the public agenda.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Shaul Mofaz 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Shaul Mofaz 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Israel has no strategic military partnership with the United States due to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's policies, opposition leader Shaul Mofaz said, during a press conference held at the Knesset Monday morning.
Implying that the prime minister holds disregard for the international community Mofaz accused him of preference for "Moshe Feiglin (Likud) over our international partners."
"The current government must take the position that the US leads when it comes to Iran," he said, stressing that an early attack on Iran would endanger Israel. "We must fully cooperate on this issue and work for stronger sanctions, including from Russia and China."
Mofaz said that Netanyahu had not followed anything on the national agenda during his time as prime minister.
There is a clear majority that wants "to bring equality in the burden," he said in reference to replacing the controversial Tal Law, which allows haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men to indefinitely defer IDF service and was recently invalidated by the High Court of Justice. "We should cancel the Tal law and bring better news for the youth of Israel," he said, adding that Netanyahu is missing an historic opportunity to change the Tal Law.
"There is a majority in favor of changing the government system; the current one is unstable. There is a majority for giving up land [for peace]. There is a majority for a new social order to strengthen the middle class - this government hasn't taken care of them and therefore they want to dissolve it," he stated.
Reiterating his party's stance on early elections Mofaz said, "we have no problem with early election dates but first we should replace the Tal Law and then dissolve the Knesset."
Following the the prime minister's fresh call for elections on September 4, Mofaz said that Israel is "on a new path back to sanity."
"Netanyahu has admitted his failure, because there is no stronger admission than the fact that the government did not make any changes on these matters. Everyone sees that the emperor is naked... He ran away from making decisions, there won't be any changes under his leadership," Mofaz continued.
Turning to Labor, Mofaz said the party is joining the coalition in its political trickery. In a dig at Yacimovich he said the Labor leader "sold out ideology for votes." It's not too late for the party to change its mind, he added. "First pass the Tal Law and then dissolve the Knesset," he repeated, urging all "Zionist parties" to join.
"Kadima will lead Israel and give answers to our national problems, we are the sane responsible alternative and the answer to all of Israel's challenges," Mofaz affirmed. "Around this table we have the most experience and talented people who have proved themselves. We have experience making decisions and have stood up to security challenges. Israel cannot bet on its future, or on failed or inexperienced leaders."
"We will influence the polls, the polls will not influence us," Mofaz responded to a reporter's challenge regarding Kadima's position in public surveys.
"Mofaz is the real Iranian threat to Netanyahu" Meir Sheetrit quipped, referring to his Persian origins.
"Kadima will form the next government" Mofaz declared with confidence, expressing favor toward a unity government which all Zionist parties can join.