The Likud accused Kadima on Monday of “cynically using” the housing protesters
for political gain, following a Channel 2 report that the party had supplied the
protesters with signs critical of Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu.
“Bibi, you destroyed, we are sick of you, go home,” read signs
hoisted at Saturday night’s housing rally in Tel Aviv that were underlined by
the red stripe Kadima uses in campaign commercials.
RELATED:'Larger' housing protests set to take place in 10 citiesThe report revealed
that Kadima head Tzipi Livni had met with the leaders of the protests more than
once, even though she had made a point of not visiting the tent cities, in order
to avoid painting the protests as political.
“Kadima caused the housing
shortage by refusing to build in the center of the country,” a Likud spokeswoman
said. “Now Kadima is doing politics on the backs of young people and
students.
It’s unfortunate that Kadima has politicized the
protests.”
A Kadima spokesman said it was no secret that supporters of
several parties on the Center and the Left have participated in the
protests.
“Kadima will use every stage to deliver its messages against
Netanyahu’s hard-hearted government of taxes,” the Kadima spokesman said.
“Kadima didn’t initiate the incredible wave of protests across the country
against Mr. Taxes, Netanyahu.”
At a meeting of the Likud faction, MKs and
mayors mocked the protesters. Deputy Negev and Galilee Development Minister
Ayoub Kara called them “sushi-eaters,” and Nesher Mayor David Amar called them
“nargila smokers with guitars.”