Solve Israel's Problems » Please Share Our ArticlesMK Elazar Stern Leaves Tzipi Livni's Hatnua

MK Elazar Stern Leaves Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua

December 20, 2014

After decades of civil service, military service, and then as a civilian in the fields of social work in Israel, two years ago I responded to your inquiry continuing my activity through political action and your request to join Hatnua.

We agreed then, mainly concentrating on issues of religion and state, and you guaranteed me my freedom to vote [according to my own opinions – ed.] in political areas. The main theme which I saw was the creation of the Knesset mission for fundamental change in the Conversion law that I started when I was in the IDF and saw fit to continue it in the Knesset.

I am pleased that after much debate and complex political battles the government (also with your help) approved [the Conversion Law] and implemented it as of recently.

In addition, in continuing what had been my pursuits prior to the Knesset, I was happy to contribute significantly as a Knesset member for promoting increased rights and benefits for Holocaust survivors as well as other issues.

The shortened Knesset term curtailed, unfortunately, other bills I had intended to pursue, including changes to laws on Shabbat, kosher, various aspects of IDF service and more.

These days, as I announced recently my Facebook page, I am “turning over a new leaf” and examining the right way to continue to serve the public and the state, whether in the legislature and whether in other fields, as I did prior to the Knesset.

This action can be expressed in another appropriate political framework, and as mentioned several times in the past, and “going back to civilianship” is a reasonable option for me and I can be of service to the state on issues on which I believe and have acted upon.

My friend, MK David Tzur, told you with the decision to dissolve the Knesset, before we knew that you would not lead the [Hatnua] list, that we were weighing the possibility to split in order to preserve our rights (also in the party funding) should we decide to retire, whatever the reason. We consulted with a significant number of people, including senior lawyers (including the legal advice Committee) and everyone supported the matter and noted that this is not a legal issue, not a moral issue. The only person who objected to this was you.

Tzuri (MK David Tzur) and I even if there is only one speck of dust of an ethical problem here, we give up the budget which we are entitled under the law and leave it in your hands, or rather in the Labor Party’s hands.

At our meeting on Thursday we made it clear you that your ambition to connect with the Labor Party – the way it was done and the conditions under which it was made (too high a price for the rotation you made and other circumstances that is the time to enumerate).

After I heard you most attentively and your conduct in light of recent events, the more I understand that my place is not naturally in Hatnua, and it is very apparent that I will face difficulty to continue to perform the duties of the public within this framework.

Given the above and considering my views which are placed in the center of the political spectrum, I inform you that I have decided to quit the Hatnua party.

I wish you luck.

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