Opposition leader Tzipi Livni on Friday accused Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermanas having "erased in 20 minutes years of efforts to advance the peace process" when he declared that Israel was not bound by commitments it made at a 2007 summit in Annapolis to pursue creation of a Palestinian state
In an interview with Israel Radio, the Kadima chairwoman said she had expected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce that he did not share Lieberman's expressed sentiments, and was disappointed that such clarification was not made.
Meanwhile, outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process kick-started in Annapolis bolstered international recognition of Israel.
Speaking at a farewell event organized by his Kadima party, Olmert responded to Lieberman's disparaging that Israel was not bound by the framework of the U.S.-sponsored summit.
"Thanks to this move, for millions of people around the world Israel is now a fait accompli," Olmert said.
In a candid address to an audience of hundreds of Kadima activists, Olmert shared the thoughts that had led to his decision to step down, in light of the criminal charges against him.
"Honestly, it was painful," he said.
Fellow Kadima MK Tzachi Hanegbi praised Olmert and thanked him for his service to the party and the country.
"I've seen you in times of difficult dilemmas, and I was constantly amazed about your mental ability to endure all that strain," Hanegbi said. "I'm not sure anyone in our generation - or the next - would be aware of the decisions Olmert took."
Also speaking at the event, Livni said that their occasional disagreements never stood in the way of their successful running of the government.
"What was necessary was to go into the room, put the personal differences aside and make the decision that's good for Israel," Livni said.
Front Page Features