Aides to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert harshly criticized Coalition head MK Avigdor Itzchaky and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Wednesday. They expressed anger at Itzchaky, who threatened to quit if Olmert stays in power, calling him “an opportunist” who “was never loyal to the Prime Minister.”

Livni, they said, should have made an announcement in response to the Winograd Commission’s intermediate report instead of remaining silent. “Ambiguity is not leadership,” they said, “it is low-grade politics.” The aides expressed optimism, saying that “in the end, it will all cool down,” and Kadima will not vote to dismiss Olmert.