The wave of departures from the Yesh Atid faction continues: Former minister and MK Karine Elharrar announced Thursday that she will not seek a spot on the party’s Knesset slate in the next election.
Elharrar, who has been with the party since its founding and has held senior positions in the political system over the years, addressed her fellow lawmakers and activists in a letter.
“14 years ago, Yair Lapid added me to the list of Yesh Atid’s founders and opened the door for me to the exciting world of politics, for which I will always be grateful to him. Yair was and remains a friend and partner, a true leader who sees people as equals and always keeps the good of the country before his eyes," Elharrar wrote.
She added, “I was a partner in establishing the best centrist party there is. Over the years, I served in both the coalition and the opposition, chaired Knesset committees, served as Energy Minister and took part in national and international initiatives. I advanced significant legislation for at-risk children and young people and promoted women’s rights. I met and worked alongside people who truly are among the best and most committed to changing and improving the country."
She said, “After all the achievements I have accumulated, I have decided, following consultations with my family, to move on to a new challenge and therefore will not run on the Yesh Atid slate for the next Knesset. I am remaining in Yesh Atid because Yesh Atid is my party and my political home, and you will see me again during the election campaign, where I will contribute and fight alongside you."
Earlier this week, former Knesset Speaker MK Mickey Levy announced that he would not run for the Knesset on the slate of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Before him, former minister Meir Cohen made a similar announcement.
Their departures came after MK Elazar Stern left the party, having realized that he would not find a place on the slate for the next Knesset, and joined Gadi Eisenkot’s party.