Another Knesset Member Departs Yesh Atid List for Upcoming Elections

Knesset Member Miki Levy of the Yesh Atid party announced Monday evening that he will not be running on the party's list in the upcoming Knesset elections. Levy, who previously served as Speaker of the Knesset, informed his fellow party members of his decision following a meeting with party chairman Yair Lapid at his home. According to Levy, he and Lapid agreed that he would instead serve as the chairman of the party's tribunal.

"I will not be on the list, but I am staying with Yesh Atid," Levy wrote to his colleagues. "I remain part of this home, of our path and our values. I will continue to be available to the party and serve it as needed, and I am preparing to work in this election campaign with the Yesh Atid grassroots, and to do everything together with you for the success of the party. I have been here since 2011, from the beginning, and am among the founders of Yesh Atid."

Levy added, "We have been through so much together. You have been a friend, a partner, and a brother to me. And I tell you this from the heart, I simply love and appreciate you. And to you, my dear friends, thank you. All these years you have been by my side. We fought together, rejoiced together, were disappointed together, got up again and moved forward."

Levy's announcement follows a similar declaration earlier in the day by former MK and minister Meir Cohen, also of Yesh Atid, who decided not to run on the "Bechud" list in the upcoming elections. Cohen, who currently serves as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and previously as Minister of Welfare and Social Services, stated he is stepping aside for the next generation of the party. He will be appointed Chairman and President of the Yesh Atid Conference. Cohen noted his 25 years in education and 23 years in politics, including two terms as mayor and two as minister, expressing pride in making way for new leadership.