Two Senior Yesh Atid Lawmakers Opt Out of Next Knesset Election

MK Mickey Levy, former Knesset Speaker, announced Monday evening that he will not run in the upcoming elections as part of the joint "B'Yachad" list of Naftali Bennett and the Yesh Atid party. Levy stated he met with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, describing the meeting as "personal and moving." While stepping down from the electoral list, Levy accepted Lapid's request to serve as the head of the party's tribunal.

Earlier on Monday, former MK and minister Meir Cohen also declared he would not seek reelection with the "B'Yachad" list. Cohen will transition to the role of Chairman and President of the Yesh Atid Conference, continuing his involvement with the party. He cited his extensive career, including 25 years in education and 23 years in politics, as factors in his decision.

Cohen, who previously served as a teacher, school principal, mayor for two terms, and twice as Minister of Welfare, expressed his willingness to make way for a new generation within the party. He affirmed his continued commitment to Yesh Atid's values and its leadership under Lapid, aiming to see the party lead Israel.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid acknowledged Cohen's decision, revealing he had asked Cohen to run again. Lapid referred to Cohen as his "older brother" and a close confidant within Yesh Atid, emphasizing that this was not a farewell.

These departures follow MK Elazar Stern's earlier exit from Yesh Atid, who joined Gadi Eisenkot's party after concluding he would not secure a place on the upcoming Knesset list.