Karin Elharrar Departs Yesh Atid List, Leaving Lapid as Sole Founder

Former Minister Karin Elharrar announced on Thursday that she will not run for the Knesset on the Yesh Atid party list in the upcoming elections, marking the departure of another founding member. Elharrar, who joined the party's establishment core 14 years ago, stated in a message to party members that after extensive achievements, including legislative work for at-risk youth and women's rights, she has decided to pursue new challenges. Despite her departure from the electoral list, Elharrar affirmed her continued commitment to Yesh Atid, calling it her political home and pledging to participate in the upcoming campaign.

Elharrar's exit is part of a significant wave of departures from the party's veteran ranks. Recent weeks have seen numerous long-serving members, including Meir Cohen and former Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy, announce they would not seek re-election. Others, such as Yoav Segalovitch, have left to join other political factions, while Elazar Stern moved to Benny Gantz's National Unity party. Several other Knesset members have also announced their departures or decisions not to run again.

Party leader Yair Lapid has framed these departures as a necessary renewal, stating that the party list should be led by the "next generation." He has also been working to refresh the party's lineup, with retired Major General Noam Tibon joining Yesh Atid and discussions underway to potentially promote Neta Attias, the party's faction manager, to a prominent position on the list.

With Elharrar's departure, Yair Lapid remains the only surviving member from the party's original founding team that launched before the 2013 elections. The exodus is attributed in part to a severe shortage of available spots on the party's electoral slate.