Lapid extends term as party head

The spokesman said the first extension was made two years ago. Another term was quietly added three months ago.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Updated: FEBRUARY 14, 2016 15:09
Yair Lapid, leader de Yesh Atid (photo credit: REUTERS)
Yair Lapid, leader de Yesh Atid
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Yair Lapid will remain chairman of Yesh Atid for longer than originally intended due to changes made in the party’s bylaws.
Yesh Atid’s charter originally said that the party’s founding leader would remain in the post for two Knesset terms and then would have to be elected. But Channel 10’s Raviv Drucker reported on Thursday night that Lapid recently changed the bylaws so he automatically remains in power for four Knesset terms, which could keep him chairman of the party for many more years.
A Yesh Atid spokesman said in response that the change was made by the party’s administration in an organized manner. Asked how many people there were in the party’s administration, the spokesman said, “About five.”
The spokesman said the first extension was made two years ago. Another term was quietly added three months ago. MKs in the faction said they were unaware of the change. Lapid will also remain in charge of selecting his Knesset slate.
Shinui, the party of Lapid’s father, the late Yosef “Tommy” Lapid, disintegrated after its governing council voted out its No. 2 man, who had built the party, former interior minister Avraham Poraz. Yesh Atid’s bylaws were written in such a way to prevent a similar predicament early in the party’s existence.
Yesh Atid MKs were very critical of steps Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to extend his tenure as head of the Likud last month. Channel 10 reported on Saturday night about new ties between Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett and former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
But a source close to the education minister said there were no political connections. Ashkenazi heads the Rashi Foundation, which provides funding to educational projects.