Livni: Gov't budget cuts are 'political cowardice'

Kadima head charges that deferring peace process due to changes in region is an excuse made by those who can't make decisions.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Livni 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Livni 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni on Sunday said that a government decision to make across-the-board budget cuts is political cowardice and represents a lack of priorities. She added that the lower classes will be the ones hurt by the move.
Speaking at a Tel Aviv public school, Livni slammed the government for passing a budget "just two months ago and is [now] changing it," saying that it presents a problematic message.
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Addressing the uproar over rising prices of basic goods that has threatened to bring a general strike, the opposition leader criticized those who blame world prices for the high cost of fuel. "The tax increase," the Kadima leader countered, is responsible for the high price.
There are dramatic processes taking place in the area, Livni told the schoolchildren. "The question is how we conduct ourselves with what is going on," she said.
"There will be those who say that because of disturbances and changes [in the region], that we cannot do anything [to make peace with the Palestinians] - this is a mistaken excuse by those who don't want to make decisions," she said. "Reaching an [peace] agreement is in our interests and not a favor to anyone," adding that support from the Arab world is crucial for the Palestinian Authority in order to reach a peace deal.
The opposition leader said that it is natural for Egyptians to preserve the peace treaty with Israel. Peace is in the interest of Egyptians, she added."
The masses didn't go out on the streets because of the conflict with Israel," she pointed out.