Zionist Union MK Trajtenberg to resign from Knesset
Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg tells party leader Gabbay and Opposition chairman Herzog he wishes to return to academia to write about the main socio-economic issues the Israeli society faces; he will be replaced by Saleh Saed, a representative of the Druze community.
Zionist Union MK Manuel Trajtenberg informed party leader Avi Gabbay and Opposition Chairman Isaac Herzog on Thursday of his intention to resign from the Knesset and return to academia.
Prof. Trajtenberg has not yet submitted his letter of resignation to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein.
Trajtenberg will be replaced by Saleh Saed, who ran on the Zionist Union ticket as a representative of the Druze community, and has recently recovered from cancer.
In a post on social media, Trajtenberg explained her wished to dedicate his time to writing about the main socio-economic issues the Israeli society faces in an effort to formulate an overarching position and even a vision for a prosperous, unified and more just society.
He stressed he will continue supporting the Zionist Union and new leader Avi Gabbay and will aid him in every way to lead the party to victory.
In midst of the 2011 social protest, Trajtenberg was appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to head the Committee for Socio-Economic Change, also dubbed the Trajtenberg Committee, in an effort to examine and recommend solutions to the high cost of living in Israel.
He negotiated the end of the protest, which included the erection of dozens of tents along Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard, with protest leaders Stav Shaffir and Itzik Shmuli, who went on to become Labor MKs.
Almost three years later, Trajtenberg announced he was running for parliament on the Labor Party ticket. Ahead of the 2015 election, Trajtenberg was placed on the 11th spot on the Labor Party list, which joined forces with Tzipi Livni's Hatnua Party to form the Zionist Union.
After the elections, in which the party won 24 seats, Trajtenberg was made a member of the Knesset's Finance Committee and its Science and Technology Committee.
Labor leader Avi Gabbay said he "regrets very much the resignation of MK Trajtenberg from the Knesset. Manu is a symbol of decency, expertise and seriousness in the political system."
"Israel's Knesset and the Zionist Union had the privilege of having one of the most hard working MKs, an expert on economic and social issues," Gabbay continued. "He made it his mission to fight the high cost of living and bring about a more just economy. I'm sure we will continue cooperation with him down the road for the sake of Israel's citizens."
"I would also like to extend my congratulations to Saleh Saed, a representative of the Druze community in the Zionist Union, who will soon be joining the Knesset," he concluded.
Opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog also lamented Trajtenberg's departure. "I was glad when he acceded to my request to enter politics and join the Labor Party, because I believe in socio-economic policy that is based on professionalism, as he has shown many times," he said.
"Manu is a personal friend who contributed greatly to the Zionist Union, the work of the Knesset committees, and particularly parliamentary work for preschoolers. I am confident he will continue making a difference wherever he may turn."
