Kahlon with Likud Supporters
Kahlon with Likud SupportersFlash 90

Moshe Cachlon, who was a popular welfare minister before unexpectedly announcing he was leaving politics, not long before the last national elections, will not return to politics anytime soon, it appears.

Cachlon will head a new academic think tank devoted to creative solutions to Israel's high cost of living problem.

The think tank will be part of the Netanya Academic College under Prof. Tzvi Arad.

Cachlon will chair the think tank, which will advocate social and economic reforms “with a view toward the proper public policy for Israel's citizens and for Israel's economy,” a statement from the college said.

Cachlon has returned from several months of study at Harvard University. There was a rumor mill around his intentions, and many observers found it hard to believe that he would not return to politics. The announcement appears to put an end to these rumors.

Cachlon graduated from the Netanya Academic College's law school and was granted an honorary doctorate from the institute two years ago, in honor of reforms he executed when he was minister of communications.