MK and former minister Meir Cohen of the collapsing Yesh Atid party has decided not to run for the next Knesset. He will be appointed chairman and president of the Yesh Atid conference.
Political reporter Dafna Liel wrote: "Lapid hoped that the union with Bennett would rise much higher, but that's not what happened. He only has 4 places in the top ten, and when that's the case, it's clear that even veterans and senior figures will drop out.".
MK Meir Cohen: "Yair and I founded Yesh Atid together and I have been a member of it since day one. After 25 years in the education system, as a teacher and school principal, and 23 years in politics - two terms as mayor, twice as Minister of Welfare - I am happily and proudly handing over my place to the next generation of the party and the people who will lead it into the future.".
""I believe in the values of the party, I believe that we are the best team in Israeli politics, and I will continue to work so that there will be a future and a bright future for them to lead and govern the State of Israel.""
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid: "This is not a farewell. Meir is my eldest brother. He has always been and will always be the closest person to me in Yesh Atid, and he will continue to be one of the pillars and key people in the party. I asked him to run for a high position this time as well, but Meir wanted to give an opportunity to the next generation of the party's MKs. This only proves, once again, what a rare person and rare politician he is.""
