The national unity government formed in Israel two months ago unraveled Tuesday when the head of the centrist Kadima Party, Shaul Mofaz, announced he was withdrawing because of intractable differences with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a proposed universal draft law, Israeli news media reported.
[h=6]Ammar Awad/Reuters[/h]Shaul Mofaz, the head of the centrist Kadima Party.
"It is with deep regret that I say that there is no choice but to decide to leave the government,” the Ynet news site quoted Mr. Mofaz as saying in a closed door party meeting.
A Kadima operative confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the partnership made by Mr. Mofaz was over. "Yes, he’s pulling out," the operative said in an email message, on the condition he not be identified by name.
The broad coalition, which had given Mr. Netanyahu a supermajority of 94 of the Parliament’s 120 members, has been in turmoil for weeks over the issue of how to draft more ultra-Orthodox Jews as well as Arab citizens. Mr. Mofaz, who made the surprise agreement to join with Mr. Netanyahu’s majority in early May, had made such a law a primary goal.
It was not immediately clear whether the Kadima pullout would lead to early elections in Israel, where Mr. Netanyahu retains broad popularity.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kadima released a statement announcing that "negotiations between Kadima and the Likud over the equal distribution of the burden have failed."
[h=6]Ammar Awad/Reuters[/h]Shaul Mofaz, the head of the centrist Kadima Party.
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"It is with deep regret that I say that there is no choice but to decide to leave the government,” the Ynet news site quoted Mr. Mofaz as saying in a closed door party meeting.
A Kadima operative confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the partnership made by Mr. Mofaz was over. "Yes, he’s pulling out," the operative said in an email message, on the condition he not be identified by name.
The broad coalition, which had given Mr. Netanyahu a supermajority of 94 of the Parliament’s 120 members, has been in turmoil for weeks over the issue of how to draft more ultra-Orthodox Jews as well as Arab citizens. Mr. Mofaz, who made the surprise agreement to join with Mr. Netanyahu’s majority in early May, had made such a law a primary goal.
It was not immediately clear whether the Kadima pullout would lead to early elections in Israel, where Mr. Netanyahu retains broad popularity.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kadima released a statement announcing that "negotiations between Kadima and the Likud over the equal distribution of the burden have failed."