BICOM

The Kadima Party yesterday launched its election campaign, which is set to focus on attacking the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz took to the stage in front of an image of Netanyahu and a nuclear cloud accompanied by the slogan “Bibi will endanger us.” Mofaz said, “He [Netanyahu] had opportunities to deal with equality in the burden of national service, to talk with the Palestinians, to bring social justice, to change the system of government, but he only cared about Iran.” Mofaz warned that “Netanyahu and [Foreign Minister Avigdor] Lieberman have no control. They are irresponsible, and irrational. They are dangerous to Israel’s future.”Citing his own security credentials after decades at the forefront of Israel’s military establishment, Mofaz said “I have been through five wars, and I know wars have no winners.”

Asked whether the public will trust him after Kadima briefly joined Netanyahu’s government this summer, Mofaz answered, “The public knows we did not join the government for jobs and perks. The citizens understand that we did it to try to ensure equal army service for all.” When questioned about the possibility of surrendering the leadership of Kadima to a returning Ehud Olmert, Mofaz responded, “When Olmert makes such a decision, you will receive my response.”

In other election news, speculation continues that popular outgoing Likud minister Moshe Kahlon will form his own independent party, focusing on a social-justice agenda. Latest polls indicate that a Kahlon-led party would garner 13 mandates, less than the 20 seats predicted earlier this week, but nonetheless enough to trouble senior Likud leaders, who have reportedly been trying to persuade Kahlon to remain within the party. Israeli media Reports indicate that Kahlon will announce his intentions on Sunday.