Tzipi Livni to pay a price to form a government, but I was never willing to risk the political and economic future of Israel. If someone is willing to sell out his principles for the job, he is not worthy of it." For its part, Likud, the main opposition party led by Benjamin Netanyahu, lobbied Shas and other parties essential to Livni's government to support early elections. In February 2009 Israel held elections for the Knesset. Livni, foreign minister and head of the Kadima party, campaigned against Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party to lead the new government. While election results gave
2012 Kadima leadership election Line. Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On also congratulated Mofaz, but said his victory proves Kadima is a "centre-right" party. Labor leader Shelly Yachimovich also congratulated Mofaz, said he was worthy of the job, and said Labor was the only true opposition party. United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni blamed Livni's loss on her criticism of Haredi Jews, while National Union MK Michael Ben-Ari said Mofaz can credit his victory to Arab voters and that he was now indebted to them. 2012 Kadima leadership election An election for the leadership of Kadima was held on 27 March 2012, pitting Tzipi Livni against