Shaul Mofaz´s victory in the Kadima primary brought mixed reactions from other parties in the Knesset on Wednesday, with some congratulating him, while taking the opportunity to slam Kadima.

Likud MKs predicted Kadima´s downfall, following Mofaz´s victory.

MK Ofir Akunis (Likud) wished the new Kadima leader a long career as leader of the opposition, adding that the party is "at the end of its journey," and the public lost faith in Kadima.

According to MK Danny Danon (Likud), Mofaz´s victory symbolizes Kadima´s end. He pointed out that Mofaz favors a return to pre-1967 lines, and is "continuing the left-wing path of [outgoing Kadima leader Tzipi] Livni."

Meretz launched an online campaign titled "it´s the same Kadima" on Wednesday, in an attempt to bring back left-wing voters. The party says three to four of Kadima´s Knesset seats come from former Meretz voters.

Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On congratulated Mofaz, but said that his victory proves that Kadima is a center-right-wing party.

"This should stop Kadima from deluding left-wing voters that they are an alternative to Netanyahu," she said, calling for voters who "believe in ending the occupation" to vote Meretz.

Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich called Mofaz worthy of his new job and commending his contributions to Israel.

However, Yacimovich added that Labor is the only true alternative to the current government, and that in the past three years Kadima has not been able to compete against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu´s government in economic, social or diplomatic matters.

United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni said that Livni lost the primary because she attacked haredim, and he hopes Mofaz does not make the same mistake.

MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) attributed Mofaz´s victory to votes from the Arab towns of Jisr e-Zarka and Dir al-Assad, adding that the new Kadima leader will be indebted to those voters.

"It is an embarrassment that a party that seeks to lead the country looks this way," he lamented. (© 1995-2011, The Jerusalem Post 03/28/12)