Yesh Atid MK Ron Katz Resigns From Knesset, Replaced by Arab Youth Leader Mohammad Shoko

Ron Katz, a member of the Knesset from the Yesh Atid party, announced his resignation on Sunday after 15 years of public service. Katz stated that it was time to take a break from public life and start a new chapter. He submitted his resignation immediately, foregoing the remainder of the Knesset recess, explaining that he did not want to continue receiving a public salary after deciding to leave politics.

During his tenure, Katz was notably active in education policy. Together with Minister Ofir Katz, he co-authored a bill aimed at preventing individuals convicted of violence against children and vulnerable persons from working in certain institutions. The proposed law would ban employment for 10 to 18 years, depending on the severity of the offense, for adults convicted of violent or abusive acts against children under six or other vulnerable individuals under their care.

Following Katz’s resignation, Yesh Atid announced that Mohammad Shoko Abu Elhiga would join the Knesset. Shoko, a married father of three from Tamra, is an educator and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in youth education and integrating Arab youth into Israeli society. He founded Atidna, the first Arab-Zionist youth movement in Israel, and currently serves as director of non-formal education in Tamra’s municipality, treasurer of the Israeli Youth Departments Association, and head of Yesh Atid’s Arab sector.