President congratulates Mofaz on Kadima primary victory

President Shimon Peres on Sunday offered words of congratulations to Shaul Mofaz, who last week secured his leadership of Kadima in the party primary, soundly defeating the previous leader, Tzipi Livni.

In addition to wishing him success, Peres told Mofaz that “a great responsibility is on your shoulders,” according to Israel Radio.

Mofaz responded that he was aware of the responsibility and thanked Peres for his good wishes.

Since his victory Mofaz has attempted to align himself with the social protest movement of last summer, saying that he would “represent the sane, democratic and liberal public,” Haaretz reported last week.

Mofaz attended a protest in Tel Aviv against the rising cost of living on Saturday night, where he lambasted the Netanyahu administration for raising fuel prices. “Bibi — it’s too expensive for us… It’s time to put an end to the cynical and predatory policies of the Netanyahu government,” Ynet news quoted Mofaz as saying.

The former Likudnik will take over as opposition chairman following his swearing-in ceremony Monday.