Kibbutzniks take sides in Kadima’s primary race

MK Shai Hermesh announced on Saturday that he would support MK Shaul Mofaz to lead the party, although he supported Livni in the previous primary.

By LAHAV HARKOV
MK Tzipi Livni (Kadima) 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
MK Tzipi Livni (Kadima) 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Kadima MKs and activists in kibbutzim are taking sides ahead of the March 27 party primary, while current Kadima leader Tzipi Livni has asserted her leadership in a televised interview.
MK Shai Hermesh announced on Saturday that he would support MK Shaul Mofaz to lead the party, although he supported Livni in the previous primary.
Hermesh, chairman of the Knesset Agricultural Caucus, will lead Mofaz’s staff for party members in kibbutzim and moshavim.
Meanwhile, Gavri Bar-Gil, a former secretary- general of the Kibbutz Movement, threw his support behind Livni.
“Only the reelection of Tzipi Livni as the head of the party will ensure the creation of an alternative to this bad government,” he said.
Bar-Gil added that he would recruit kibbutz and moshav residents to support Livni.
Also on Saturday, Livni said on Channel 2’s Meet the Press that her party’s members must accept her leadership, and whoever does not like it does not belong in Kadima.
“This is a battle for the state’s life,” she said.
“The public wants a different government.”
When asked about Mofaz, Livni said she doesn’t care if he remains in Kadima or not.
He has yet to accept the results of the previous primary, and wants another round, she quipped.