Time's 100 most influential: Lapid in, Bibi out

Yair Lapid, who was virtually unknown outside of Israel until several months ago, stunned world media when he landed 19 Knesset seats in the latest Israeli elections.

Now he is being honored by Time Magazine which has selected him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was included in the ranking in the past two years, did not make it to the list.

Lapid's entry in Time Magazine

"If the world at large views Israel through its conflict with the Palestinians, Lapid personifies the nation’s determinedly inward focus," Time wrote of the finance minister.

"A protest candidate from the center, he campaigned on economic justice for a forgotten middle class. After stunning the established parties, he held true to a promise of 'new politics,' resisting Netanyahu’s blandishments and forging a government without Israel’s powerful religious parties. "

Time further stated, "Already an author, playwright, actor, musician and widely read columnist, Lapid now answers to Finance Minister, but he says he expects, in the next election, to defeat his current boss — assuming Netanyahu runs again — and become Premier. He already has the swagger."

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