Shaul Mofaz's exercise fails – Kadima falls apart

The House Committee approved this evening (Monday) the request of seven members of Knesset of Kadima to leave and join the new party of Tzipi Livni, 'Hatnua'.

6 MKs supported the split, 4 opposed and 1 abstained.

Kadima chairman MK Shaul Mofaz, tried to exercise and change the placement of Knesset members for the committee hearing to prevent the split, but the trick did not work.

The discussion included Knesset Chairman Reuven Rivlin, the Knesset's legal adviser, attorney Eyal Yinon.

In addition, the committee approved MK Chaim Amsalem to announce itself as retired from Shas.

In addition the split of MK Talab A – Sana from the United Arab List was approved. A - Sana announced that he will run an independent list for the 19th Knesset elections.

Knesset members who left Kadima include Meir Shitrit, Yoel Hasson, Orit Zuaretz, Shlomo Molla, Gali Vahaba, Rachel Adato and Robert Tibiib leaving for Livni.

In addition Nachman Shai and Nino Avsdzh left for Avodah and Juliet Shamlov - Berkowitz, Aryeh Bibi and Avi Dichter left for Likud.

"We ask that we be allowed to separate. Whatever happens here will test the public since we are at the eve of elections. We never did it in the middle term, not for cabinet positions," said Yoel Hasson.

Knesset Speaker Rivlin told the committee: "The law said that seven people can build their faction, which was the only numerical condition. The committee should ask itself whether it can make a different decision when two different people request a split."

Attorney Yinon did not object to the request of the MKs split, saying, "The judgments on this matter are limited in its scope. The legislature knew that it would not be right to imprison members of Knesset in a faction they no longer want to be in."

Kadima MKs asked those who are splitting will take with them the debts of the party. Kadima claimed that the party's debts now stand at a total of 38 million shekels and therefore the party of Shaul Mofaz sought to divide the sum by the number of incumbents and reduce the amount they take with them.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!