MK Manuel Trajtenberg (Zionist Union) has announced that he will resign from the Knesset in order to return to academia. He will be replaced by Salah Sa'ad, who represents the Druze community for the Zionist Union.
"I'm leaving the Knesset to formulate a socio-economic vision for the day after the [Zionist Union] victory," Trachtenberg tweeted. "I will remain on the public stage and am committed to the Zionist Union and Avi Gabbay."
Before entering politics,Trajtenberg taught at the Tel Aviv University School of Economics. Trajtenberg has chaired the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education and headed the 14-member panel of experts tasked by Netanyahu to institute economic measures after 2011's 'Social justice' protests.
Zionist Union Chairman Avi Gabbay expressed regret over Trajtenberg's resignation, saying that "Manuel symbolizes fairness, knowledge, and seriousness in Israel's political system. The Knesset of Israel and the Zionist Union were merited to have one of the most dedicated experts in economics and social policy."
"He worked relentlessly to bring down the cost of living and make a more just economy," Gabbay continued. "Congratulations to Salah Sa'ad, the Druze representative for the Zionist Union, who will soon join the Knesset."
Opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) said that "I am sorry to hear Professor Manuel Trajtenberg's announcement. Manuel is a personal friend who contributed to the Zionist Union, to the activities of the Knesset committees, especially in the area of early childhood. I am sure that he will continue to have a good influence wherever he goes."