25 shares
Israeli economist Yaron Zelekha seen at a press conference headed by leader of the Israeli Labor party Shelly Yachimovich (not seen), prior to the national Israeli elections. January 15, 2013. (Yossi Zeliger/FLASH90)
A former accountant general in the Finance Ministry became the latest public figure to announce the establishment of a new party to run in the upcoming elections, saying Wednesday that he was entering politics in order to “save Israel from economic destruction.”
In a statement declaring the move, Yaron Zelekha, a vocal longtime critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, tore into the economic conduct of Israel’s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, with lockdowns causing hundreds of thousands to lose their livelihoods and thousands of businesses to close.
Israel: Blue and White likely to collapse after departure of key figures
Israelis cast their votes during the Israeli legislative elections, at a polling station in Tel Aviv on 17 September 2019 [Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Anadolu Agency] December 29, 2020 at 9:53 am
Coalition partner in Israel s current government, the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) party, is likely to collapse after key members quit the bloc, local media reported yesterday.
This comes after two Members of the Knesset, Asaf Zamir and Miki Haimovich, voted against extending the budget deadline last week,
Ynet News said, leading to the collapse of the coalition government.
Zamir and Haimovich announced on Sunday night that they had defected and would not be included in the party s electoral list for the next elections.
Michal Kotler-Wunsh (Rami Zarenger)
MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh announced on Tuesday that she will not run as a candidate for Blue and White in the March elections, as the apparent disintegration of the party continued.
“It is the role of responsible, honest leadership to identify, realize and represent the public in order to restore trust and renew hope,” Cotler-Wunsh said in a statement. “I am committed to continue serving, with courage and humility.”
Cotler-Wunsh was only sworn into the Knesset in June, under the so-called Norwegian law that enables ministers to give up their positions as Knesset members in order to enable a different member of their party slate to take their spot in parliament.
Justice minister leaves Gantz, joins forces with Tel Aviv mayor ahead of Israel s election haaretz.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from haaretz.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn seen at the Knesset, October 21, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn announced Tuesday he is joining Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai’s new party, in a major blow to Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s moribund Blue and White party ahead of Knesset elections in March.
A statement from Huldai’s spokesman said Nissenkorn informed Gantz of the move.
“We’ll bring good tidings to hundreds of thousands of Israelis who feel they have no political home and we’ll do this with actions, not words,” Nissenkorn said in the statement.
Gantz spoke with Nissenkorn on Tuesday afternoon and asked him to resign his position as justice minister, Blue and White said in a statement.