Transportation and Road Safety Minister Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) continued his verbal assaults Monday on Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who is leading in the polls preceding next month's Kadima leadership primaries. After slamming her for backing the proposed 2009 budget, he scolded the Foreign Minister for supporting the decision to free nearly 200 terrorists Monday morning, including several who either murdered Israelis or were behind deadly terrorist attacks.
Speaking at a bridge opening ceremony, the former Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff said, "To my sorrow, Foreign Minister Livni pushed the idea of freeing more terrorists.
"Freeing terrorists at the same time kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is not with us leaves me with a difficult feeling. Making a bad decision is worse than deciding nothing, and we have freed 700 prisoners this year without anything in return."
The minister reiterated declarations that Israel needs strong leadership, which he said Foreign Minister Livni cannot supply. "The interest of Israel is to return Shalit," he added. "I ask why we freed terrorists including those with blood on their hands. I call for no more concessions that damage the State of Israel.
Foreign Minister Livni has continued to remain silent in the face of her opponent's escalating attacks, which came following the revelation in polls that her lead is growing in the Kadima leadership campaign.
Two other candidates, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit are trailing far behind in the polls.