Livni and Herzog
Livni and HerzogFlash90

Rightwing MKs reacted with sharp criticism – and in some cases sharp mockery – to the announcement Wednesday that Tzipi Livni was abandoning her colleagues in Hatnua, and joining the Labor party. The combination of Livni and Labor head Yitzhak Herzog, who, if they form the government, will take turns as prime minister, would be “a dream come true” for Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, said Likud MK Yariv Levin.

“It's an unholy alliance that breaks the record for political cynicism,” Levin said of the pairing. “Livni's political journey from the Likud to Kadima to Hatnua and now to Labor shows her complete lack of any path, and the political weariness that has come over the Israeli left. Once again, it has been proven that the only issue in the upcoming elections is a leftist government of Livni and Arab MK Ahmed Tibi, and a stable government, led by Binyamin Netanyahu and a strong Likud.”

In an official statement, the Likud said that Herzog and Livni would end up competing with each other as to who would concede more ground to the Palestinians. “The choice in this election is clear,” said the party in a statement. “Either a leftist-led government or one led by Netanyahu and the Likud.”

MK Uri Orbach (Jewish Home) said that “Livni and her wandering troupe of cohorts have found a new nest, a 'cuckoo's nest.'”

MK Miri Regev (Likud) said that the alliance between Herzog and Livi was “not surprising. “Livni, out 'guardian of justice,' supported convicted felon Ehud Olmert for Prime Minister when he ran Kadima. All she is interested in is a seat in the cabinet."