MK Moshe Arbel submitted a letter of resignation from the Knesset to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana today (Sunday).
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Former Knesset member and minister Moshe Arbel of the Shas movement today submitted his official letter of resignation from the Knesset to the Speaker of the Knesset, MK Amir Ohana.
The resignation was submitted in accordance with Article 40 of the Basic Law: The Knesset, and concludes a long period of 12 years of parliamentary and public activity by Arbel in the Knesset. According to the Shas list, Erez Malul is expected to enter the Knesset in his place.
In his letter, Arbel summarized his public career, starting from his early positions as a parliamentary advisor and chief of staff, through his tenure as a member of Knesset and Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, and to his senior positions as Minister of the Interior and Minister of Health.
""Twelve years, more than a quarter of my life of meaningful work for all citizens of the State of Israel... out of love for Israel and seeing the good in each and every one," he wrote to the members of the Mishkan.
Arbel noted in his letter that his decision to retire comes toward the end of the current Knesset term. He explained that he now intends to devote time to his family, to studying Torah, and to completing his law degree at Reichman University.
In his letter, the retiring Knesset member expressed deep gratitude to the members of the Council of Torah Sages and the Chairman of the Shas movement, Aryeh Deri, for the privilege and trust given to him.
MK Arbel signed his official letter with a prayer for the peace of the public and its representatives in the public building. "May the Knesset be able to remove the factors of division, remove the dividing barriers, and expel gratuitous hatred from within us, so that we may be able to respect one another and be moderate toward one another," Arbel concluded his remarks.
Previously, the former minister announced that he had contacted Shas Movement Chairman Aryeh Deri with an official request to end his current term in the 25th Knesset.
The surprising announcement was made as part of a personal letter he sent to Deri in which he requested to resign from his parliamentary position.
In a personal and moving letter, MK Arbel thanked the members of the Council of Torah Scholars and the Chairman of Shas for their trust and guidance over the years, and wrote that it was "a great privilege that fell to my lot to learn from you up close.".
In his letter, Arbel noted Rabbi Deri's public experience, "analytical thinking, life wisdom and endless dedication to the cause of all of Israel," and thanked him for his "full support and firm stand alongside decisions he made during these significant years.".
At the end of his remarks, Arbel emphasized that he will continue to act in the spirit of the Shas movement's values even outside the Knesset, "out of an aspiration to work for the prosperity of the State of Israel and our holy movement, the Shas movement, and to work for the unity of the people and to sanctify the name of God.".
According to the Shas list, Erez Malul is expected to enter the Knesset in his place.
Shas Chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri responded: "Knesset Member Moshe Arbel is one of the precious sons of the Shas revolution, who emerged from the movement's education system. For many years, he worked devotedly for the movement and the public, and during his work alongside me at the Interior Ministry, he demonstrated loyalty, talent, and impressive abilities, which were also reflected in his roles as a Knesset member and government minister.".
I accepted his request to resign from the Knesset for personal reasons that he explained to me. At the same time, he announced that he is willing to continue to assist the movement in any way necessary, and I hope to continue to help him and assign him tasks soon.
"I thank MK Arbel for his blessed contribution and activity, and I pray that he will be wise and successful in whatever he turns to, and that he will be blessed to see Jewish happiness in all his descendants.""
