Kadima rebels unimpressed by PM's Tal Law moves

MK Abesadze: "One day he dissolves the Plesner Committee, and the next day he accepts its recommendations."

By LAHAV HARKOV
MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima) 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima) 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Kadima rebels were unimpressed with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s adoption of most of the Keshev Committee’s recommendations on Sunday, saying that they will continue to call for their party to leave the coalition.
“Nothing has changed since last night,” MK Yoel Hasson (Kadima) said.
“Netanyahu must keep his word and bring a replacement for the ‘Tal Law’ and stop only paying lip service [to making a change]. Enough!” MK Nino Abesadze (Kadima) said Netanyahu cannot be trusted.
“One day he dissolves the Plesner committee [to replace the Tal Law], and the next day he accepts its recommendations,” she pointed out.
As such, Abesadze said her stance on Kadima leaving the coalition will not change until she sees a bill drafted that includes all of the committee’s recommendations.
MK Shlomo Molla called for legislation to require enlistment at age 18, though the Keshev Committee recommended haredi men serve from age 23.
“My opinion will not change until Mofaz submits a bill requiring all citizens to enlist at age 18,” he said.
“Any arrangement for later enlistment allows people to continue shirking their duties.”
Molla, Abesadze, Hasson, Robert Tibayev, Orit Zuaretz and Majallie Whbee – Kadima legislators who supported former party leader Tzipi Livni in this year’s party primary – are considering breaking off and forming a new party.
Molla, Abesadze and Tibayev have voted against their party on several bills since the 94-MK unity government was formed, and said last week that they no longer consider themselves part of the coalition.
However, they have yet to successfully find another MK that would definitely join their rebellion, giving them the seven necessary to receive government funding for their new party in the next election campaign.
Some of those rumored to be sympathetic to the rebels are Kadima MKs Meir Sheetrit, Nachman Shai and Rachel Adatto.