Meir Cohen Steps Down from Knesset Race, to Lead Yesh Atid Conference

Member of Knesset Meir Cohen announced Monday that he will not run for the upcoming Knesset on the Yesh Atid party list. Cohen, a former minister and a founding member of the party, will instead take on the role of chairman and president of the Yesh Atid conference.

Cohen stated that his decision stems from a desire to make way for the next generation of leaders within the party. "Yair and I founded Yesh Atid together, and I have been a member since its first day," Cohen said. "After 25 years in the education system and 23 years in politics, I am happily and proudly making room for the party's next generation and for the people who will lead it into the future."

He affirmed his continued commitment to the party's values and goals, expressing belief in Yesh Atid and its leader, Yair Lapid, to lead Israel. "I believe in the party's values, I believe we are the best team in Israeli politics, and I will continue to work so that Yesh Atid, with Yair at its head, will lead and guide the State of Israel."

Opposition leader and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid responded to Cohen's decision, emphasizing that it is not a farewell. "Meir is my older brother," Lapid said. "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 central figures in the party."

Lapid revealed that he had asked Cohen to run in a high position in the upcoming elections, but Cohen chose to give an opportunity to the party's younger Knesset members.