Livni: Israelis desperate to leave country

Attila Somfalvi, YNet News

Opposition chairman says hundreds of thousands of Israelis searching or ways to move abroad in light of grim political situation in country, government's lack of vision

August 12, 2009

The Israeli public has lost all hope in light of the political situation in the country, opposition leader Tzipi Livni said Wednesday evening.

"I see the despair of many Israelis. Hundreds of thousands see what is happening and arrange for a foreign passport, send their children to study abroad and even buy a house overseas," Livni told hundreds of Kadima MKs and activists at a gathering in Tirat Hacarmel.

"I know many of you have come ere tonight because they care, not only about Kadima as a party, but also about the State of Israel. I know you too share what a great part of the Israeli public feels – desperation," she said.

"Only four months have passed since the establishment of the government. In other places this is usually a period of hope, prosperity, and vision. Instead, since the day this government took office, with its dozens of ministers and deputy ministers, the public has realized that its sole objective was political survival."

Kadima's chairwoman strongly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his "lack of vision and lack of clear path."

Livni lauded the faction members for the hard work they have been putting in at the Knesset. "Gentlemen, every one of Kadima's members and activists should be proud of the party. There is no other faction like it in the Knesset, and hasn't been one in many years," she stated.