Former Meretz party leader, and senior Knesset member, Yossi Sarid, intends to announce his resignation from Knesset, and retirement from political life, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Thursday.
Sarid, who is considered one of the most experienced and senior members of Knesset, will publicly declare his resignation from Knesset and retirement from political life during a press conference he intends to hold on Friday.
Yedioth Ahronoth said that it was clear that Sarrid will would not remain in Meretz for a longer period after the election of Yossi Beilin as the party head.
Former Meretz chairman, Shulamit Aloni, said that Sarid unofficially retired from the party after the previous elections.
“His resignation is not surprising”, Aloni said, “After the previous elections he has unofficially retired, and stopped leading the party a long time ago”.
Aloni praised the newly elected Labor party leader, Amir Peretz, saying that he “managed to shake the entire Israeli political system”.
“People in Israel are starting to talk about human values”, Aloni stated, “While they always just spoke about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict”.
Also, Aloni added that the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon “is an illusion”, since he talks about peace and continues his acts in the occupied territories, Jerusalem, and against the Bedouins and other minorities in Israel.
Aloni added that Meretz party should conduct many things in order to advance in the polls, especially after recent polls in Israel showed that the party will only get five seats at the upcoming elections.
“Meretz can do many things that the Labor has neglected; it can act against religious oppression, and prompt equal rights” Aloni stated, “Equal rights should be achieved for all; Arabs, Bedouins, Druze and women, Labor Party did not do anything to advance these issues”.
