MK Elazar Stern leaves Yesh Atid - may join Eisenkot

MK Elazar Stern announced his departure from Yesh Atid and his intention to resign from the Knesset, after expressing support for Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot as the bloc's candidate for prime minister. In a farewell letter to Lapid, he wrote that if he remains in politics, 'tribulations and collaborations' await him. Lapid responded with appreciation. His seat will be taken by Roni Malkai.

Member of Knesset Elazar Stern announced his departure from the Yesh Atid party and his intention to resign from the Knesset, in a farewell letter to party chairman Yair Lapid. Stern, who joined Lapid in 2015 and served as a minister in the change government, expressed support in recent weeks for Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot as the bloc's candidate for prime minister. In his letter, Stern wrote that if he remains in Israeli politics, he can expect 'tribulations and collaborations' that will help lead the country out of the dire situation brought about by the current government. He thanked Lapid for years of friendship and partnership. Lapid responded with a letter of support, describing Stern as a friend and partner in many achievements. Stern's replacement in the Knesset will be Roni (Pantanesh) Malkai, a member of the Ethiopian community, currently in South Africa. The departure joins another MK leaving Yesh Atid within a week, and strengthens the trend of the rise of the Yashar party under Eisenkot's leadership ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset.