Another high-profile Likud defection:

DEBKAfile Intelligence

Israeli defense minister Shaul Mafuz joins prime minister Ariel Sharon’s Kadima in return for keeping the defense portfolio after the March 28 election

December 11, 2005, 10:54 AM (GMT+02:00)

Mofaz was a leading contender for Likud leadership primary against Binyamin Netanyahu and foreign minister Silvan Shalom in the Dec. 19 primary. The latest opinion polls show Kadima to be unbeatable by either Likud or Labor in the coming general election.

Mafuz was a leading contender in the Dec. 19 Likud leadership primary against Binyamin Netanyahu and foreign minister Silvan Shalom