Trajtenberg Resigns From Knesset; says Netanyahu’s Tenure Coming to ‘Bitter End’

Jerusalem, 1 October, 2017 (TPS) -- Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg (Labor Party) resigned from the Knesset on Sunday after two years serving as an MK.

In a Facebook post announcing his departure, Trajtenberg wrote that he will continue to serve the public, and that he will now devote his time to drafting a comprehensive economic plan for Israel’s future using the knowledge that he gained during his time as an MK.

“It is obvious that [Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu’s tenure as prime minister is nearing it’s bitter end,’ Trajtenberg wrote, adding that is important to have a bold and innovative plan for after the Labor Party returns to power.

“This is the goal I want to devote myself to, while my mind is full of insights and ideas that i accumulated over these years,” Trajtenberg wrote. “‘I hope these ideas will evolve into a comprehensive outlook, and maybe into a social-economic vision for Israel in the 21st century,” he added.

Throwing his support behind newly elected chairman of the Labor Party Avi Gabbay and vowing to assist him in replacing Netanyahu, Trajtenberg said: “Avi Gabbay’s election brings with it new spirit, hope and determination to the Labor Party and the Zionist Union, bringing us closer than ever to [replacing the current government]”.

Gabbay thanked Trajtenberg for his service, calling him a ‘symbol of decency, knowledge and seriousness.”  

Head of the Opposition MK Itzhak Herzog wrote that he was sorry to hear about Trajtenberg’s departure, and thanked him for answering the call to join them three years ago.

“I am sure he will continue to have a tremendous influence wherever he may turn,” Herzog said.

Trajtenberg’s Knesset seat will be taken by Salach Saad, a representative of Israel’s Druze community.

Trajtenberg, an Argentinian born, Harvard educated economist, served as Ehud Olmert’s chief economic advisor between 2006 and 2009, and in 2011, was hired by Prime Minister Netanyahu to head an economic reform committee aimed at addressing the issues that surfaced during the 2011 social justice protests.

In 2014, Trajtenberg was drafted by Herzog, then chairmen of the Labor Party and head of the Zionist Union, in order to devise the party’s economic plan and to run as the Union’s candidate for Treasury Minister.