Livni's career is not over

"I'll see you sometimes, somewhere," said Tzipi Livni [2] to her supporters on the night she lost the Kadima [3] primaries to Shaul Mofaz [4]. At these moments already, she knew that the Kadima chapter in her life drew to an end. The few weeks that have passed since the primaries haven't changed a thing in her mind.

Livni remained firmly committed to quitting [5] the party established by Ariel Sharon [6]. The hundreds of conversations she had with activists, supporters, friends and regular folk did not change her understanding that she must move on. The thoughts of remaining alongside Shaul Mofaz, whom she deeply despises, killed any desire to stay after the defeat.

Mofaz himself doesn't really want her. Had he been interested, he should have offered her the moon so she agrees to be his deputy.

Today, after her retirement from the Knesset, Tzipi Livni is at a major fork in the road. She can do whatever she wishes with her future; she's a free bird. There are many estimates regarding her next moves: Perhaps a new party, or joining forces with an existing one. A timeout is also a possibility. Anything could happen, and we can assume that within a short period of time the public will know whether Livni will run in the next elections, or choose to take a step back and return in two or three years.

In any case, based on the words she uttered at the Knesset, it's clear that Livni's passion for politics has not died. It's still there, alive and kicking, and Livni is seeking a new way. Most of her comrades proposed that she stay in Kadima and patiently wait for developments, but Livni refused. She said she cannot waste her remaining public credit by clinging to a chair.

Union with Lapid?

The way Livni presented her principles in her retirement speech signals that while the Kadima chapter is over for her, she will continue to market these principles. "Throughout my public life I worked for these principles," she told journalists. "I'm not sorry for refusing to give in to political extortion…I'm not sorry that I did not agree to sell the state to the haredim in order to form a government, and I'm not sorry that I did not agree to a be a partner in the current coalition."

Here is Tzipi Livni's 2012 platform: Politics without politics. Fish stew without fish. Indeed, she lost Kadima's premiership precisely because of these principles. But she does not intend to forego them. There are quite a few Israelis who relate to this narrative of clean politics that does not give in to shady deals.

In this respect, Livni may be considered naïve. However, this "naiveté" has a place in Israeli politics, which is mired in a swamp of narrow sectarian interests.

Some mention Yair Lapid and his new party as an option for a new home for Livni. Yet for the time being, Lapid already made one mistake with Livni and treated her disparagingly in one of his Facebook posts. Today, should he get on his knees and apologize, he could explain that when he slammed Kadima he did not refer to Livni, but rather, to junior party members.

Lapid may find himself in dire need for Livni's support. There's still quite some time before the elections are held, and the public support for him may be eroded by then. Should the number of Knesset seats predicted by the polls keep declining, bringing Livni into his party could reinvigorate it.

According to a Yedioth Ahronoth poll, a Lapid-Livni union could bring their party into center stage of the political establishment. Yet for this to happen, someone would have to cast their ego aside.