Tzipi Livni´s decision to resign from the Knesset represents another sign that Kadima is on its way to an imminent demise, Likud MK Danny Danon said on Tuesday, adding that the former party head was deserting a "sinking ship."

Earlier Saturday, Livni submitted her resignation the Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, after which she said that her decision did not mean that she would be retiring from public life.

Livni´s resignation came after she was handed a decisive loss in the Kadima primary earlier this year at the hands of Shaul Mofaz.

In a statement released following her announcement, Danon said that "Kadima´s end seems nearer than ever," calling it a "valueless party which will soon find itself sinking."

Danon added that he expected other Kadima MKs to "follow Livni, who abandoned a sinking ship," saying that, regardless, former Kadima officials would "not have a place in the Likud."

However, Danon´s comments weren’t the only response to Livni´s decision to step down, with Labor chairperson Shelly Yacimovich saying she was "sorry that former Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni was retiring from the Knesset."

"Livni is a worthy, decent person, who has acquired a great deal of experience in the diplomatic sphere, and her absence in the Knesset will be felt," Yacimovich added, saying she hoped "Livno will stay in politics and continue to contribute."

In a statement released in response to Livni´s announcement, Kadima issued a statement expressing "regrets at Tzipi Livni´s decision to retire from the movement."

"Kadima member Tzipi Livni has a reserved place in the movement and we hope she chooses to return to political activity in Kadima, as soon as during the coming elections," the statement added. (© Copyright 2012 Ha´aretz 05/02/12)