Minister of Agriculture (Yisrael Beitenu) Yair Shamir announced that he will not be running for a place in the 20th Knesset under his party’s banner. He explains the reason for his decision is the lack of compatibility with his political leanings and the recent statements made by party leader Avigdor Lieberman. He stressed he is not leaving public life, just the party, which he feels has a different platform today than announced when he ran in the 19th Knesset elections.

Shamir, the son of the late Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir, thanked Lieberman for the opportunity to be on the cabinet in the past two years and therefore a component of the decision-making process and making it possible to work to strengthen communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron as well using his ministry to advance and improve Israel’s standing in the international community.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)