Likud slams Mofaz as Labor calls for elections

After Kadima leader seeks to dismiss party rebels, accuses PM's party of political bribery, Likud recalls that Mofaz himself approved Tal Law.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Netanyahu Likud 390 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Netanyahu Likud 390
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Likud on Monday lashed back at Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz after he accused the party of political bribery and Labor leader Shelly Yechimovich called for early elections, following a tumultuous two days in the Kadima party.
Mofaz on Monday submitted a letter to Knesset House Committee chairman Yariv Levin requesting the dismissal of MKs Otniel Schneller, Arieh Bibi, Avi Duan and Yulia Shamolov Berkovich, who expressed their will to leave Kadima for the Likud. Following the submission of the letter, Mofaz criticized the Likud of seeking a "Tal Law 2," and vowed he would continue to fight for a new substantial law to replace the current one that allows Haredim to postpone army service indefinitely.
"Everyone remembers what he [Mofaz] perhaps has forgotten, that he approved the Tal Law and voted enthusiastically in favor of the law in the government in 2007," the Likud spokesperson said.
"Mofaz has become the leader of a quarter of a faction and even those who sit by his side don't believe his slogans," Likud said.
Meanwhile, Yechimovich asserted that the last week of the Knesset should be devoted to passing legislation to dispersing the Knesset.
"There is a limit to the ability of the public to suffer," Yechimovich said.
"There were MKs in Kadima who said they identify with us. [Labor MK Isaac] Herzog helped them practically by giving them a legislative security net. I will be happy to see in Labor those few good MKs who share our outlook and realize Kadima finished its path – without promises and jobs and certainly not in a deal that would strengthen Netanyahu. Our door is open to them," Yechimovich stated.