Yesh Atid shakeup: Meir Cohen bows out of Knesset race

MK and former minister Meir Cohen announced that he will not run on the "Together" slate in the next Knesset. Instead, Cohen will be appointed chairman and president of the Yesh Atid Conference and will continue his activities within the party. "Yair [Lapid] and I founded Yesh Atid together, and I have been a member since its first day," Cohen said. He noted that the decision came after 25 years in the education system and 23 years in politics. Cohen served as a teacher and school principal, served two terms as mayor, and twice served as Welfare Minister. "I am happily and proudly making way for the next generation of the party and for the people who will lead it into the future," he said, stressing that despite his decision not to run, he intends to continue working on behalf of the party. "I believe in the party's values. I believe that we are the best team in Israeli politics," he said. "I will continue working so that Yesh Atid, with Yair at its head, will lead the State of Israel." Related articles: Lapid denies any deal with Shas MK Adi Azuz reveals harassment in the Knesset Yoav Segalovitz resigns from Yesh Atid MK Boaz Toporovsky retires from politics Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid responded Cohen's decision and stressed that he had asked him to run in the upcoming elections as well. "This is not a farewell. Meir is my older brother. He has always been and will always be the person closest to me in Yesh Atid," Lapid said. According to Lapid, Cohen "will continue to be one of the pillars and key figures in the party." "I asked him to run in a high position this time as well, but Meir wanted to give the next generation of the party's Knesset members an opportunity," he added. "It only proves, once again, what a rare person and rare politician he is," he concluded.