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Former foreign minister Tzipi Livni on Tuesday announced the formation of a new political party, called "The Movement," which will run in the run in the January 22 election.
Just hours earlier, Livni released the name and campaign logo for the party. Livni had been delaying announcing her future for weeks amid speculation that she would run with an existing party or try to form a bloc of parties on the Center-Left.
Evoking the name of slain prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, Livni said she is committed to ensuring Israel\’s security and its Jewish-Democratic character.
Protesters from the Labor party gathered outside the Sokolov House to protest Livni\’s decision to form an independent party, calling on her to instead join join Labor\’s party list, where she would be certain to gain the party\’s second slot.
Livni did not present her candidates at Tuesday’s press conference.
Sources said she felt no need to hurry to reveal her candidates when Knesset lists do not need to be submitted to the Central Elections Committee until December 6, but she wanted to announce her comeback since losing her position as Kadima head to Shaul Mofaz in March, before she leaves for the Saban Center Conference in Washington on Thursday.
Former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who met with Livni Monday night at his Tel Aviv office, is not expected to announce his political future until Wednesday. Sources said all options were still open for him.
Livni received bad news this week when Maj.-Gen. (res.) Shlomo Yanai turned down her offer of a top slot on the list. The respected former chairman of Teva Pharmaceuticals, who is a former OC Southern Command, could have given her party the authority of a top security figure.
The list is expected to include Israel Space Agency chairman Isaac Ben-Israel, who is also a retired majorgeneral, a professor and briefly a Kadima MK; sucker tent protest leader Boaz Nol, and former ambassador to France Danny Shek. Current Kadima MKs who will be on the list include Yoel Hasson, Shlomo Molla, Rachel Adatto, Orit Zuaretz, Majallie Whbee and Robert Tibaev.
Livni pressured Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid in recent days to combine their lists but he turned her down.
Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich pleaded with Livni Monday night not to form “another fragment of a party that will further divide the Left.”
Defense Minister Ehud Barak was also sought after by Livni. His departure from politics and the demise of his Independence Party is expected to help Livni’s party obtain more support.
“Barak contributed much to the country as a soldier, officer, minister and prime minister, and citizens of Israel owe him a lot,” Livni said.
“I hope Barak will still contribute to the realization of the Zionist vision we share of a secure, Jewish, democratic state at peace with its neighbors. Despite our many arguments, I always respected his real concern for Israel’s future and with all my heart, I wish him success in his life’s next chapter.”