Barak: Livni served loyally, will return to public

MKs from across political spectrum, including Plesner, Yacimovich, Danon comment on former Kadima head's resignation.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
MK Tzipi Livni (Kadima) 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
MK Tzipi Livni (Kadima) 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday complimented Tzipi Livni, who earlier in the day resigned from Knesset, saying that she served the country loyally and adding that he believes that she will eventually return to the public sphere.
"Tzipi Livni is an Israeli patriot who worked responsibly for the country in the international realm as foreign minister, and she served faithfully as a minister in Israeli governments," Barak said.
"Livni always managed to differentiate between politics and guarding the national and security interests  of the state of Israel. I believe that Livni will return (to the public sphere) and will contribute more to the country."
Former opposition leader Tzipi Livni announced her resignation from her post in the Knesset earlier Tuesday, saying that Israeli citizens deserve better than their current leadership and vowing to continue serving the public.
Livni lost her leadership position in the Kadima Party last month to Shaul Mofaz, and has since been silent about her political future.
Prior to her announcement, members of Knesset addressed rumors surrounding her upcoming resignation. Kadima MK Yohanan Plesner said that the former party chair will find a way to remain involved in the Kadima "even if not from the Knesset benches."
"I am sorry to hear about [Livni's] rumored resignation," Plesner said in a written statement. "I respect her decision and thank her for her great contributions to the establishment of the Kadima Party."
"Kadima is important to Livni," the Kadima MK opined. "I believe she will find a way to be a part of us even if not from the Knesset benches."
Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich also said she regretted Livni's decision, but encouraged the former Kadima chair to stay in politics.
Livni was a worthy and honest person with great political experience, Yacimovich said in a written statement.
Her lack in the Knesset will be felt, she said, adding that she hoped the former Kadima chair will remain active in political life.
Likud MK Danny Danon took a harsher tone over Livni's upcoming announcement, saying that there is no place for former Kadima members in the Likud Party. "[Kadima] will find itself sinking fast, and very soon we'll see MKs from Kadima going the way of Livni and abandoning the sinking ship, leaving it pair by pair," he said. "What is certain, is that there is no place in Likud for them."