MK Ron Katz (Yesh Atid) announced his resignation from the Knesset on Sunday, stating, 'After 15 years of meaningful public service, it is time to take a break from public life and begin a new chapter.' Katz has served as an MK for Yesh Atid.
MK Ron Katz (Yesh Atid) announced his resignation from the Knesset on Sunday morning, saying he is stepping down after 15 years in public life. The announcement was first reported by Ynet at 08:56 Jerusalem, and Katz's own statement soon followed, citing a desire to 'open a new chapter.' Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded by thanking Katz, calling him a 'long-time friend' and 'one of the pillars of the party's field mechanism.'
Katz's departure continues a pattern of Knesset exits. As The Zioneer reported on July 17, MK Yaakov Margi retired after 24 years; on June 5, MK Boaz Toporovsky (Yesh Atid) also resigned. The resignations come as the Knesset completed its first full term in 38 years—a milestone The Zioneer reported on July 17—and as Israel prepares for elections on October 27.
Subsequently, The Zioneer reported at 09:40 Jerusalem that associates of Katz claimed Naftali Bennett pressured him to delay his resignation until after the elections, arguing that it would be bad for the campaign to have a Muslim MK enter the list. Yesh Atid denied the claim, calling it 'a lie.'
The specific reason for the timing of Katz's resignation beyond his stated desire for a break remains unclear. The identity of the next candidate from the Yesh Atid list to take his seat in the Knesset has not yet been announced.
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