Yossi Beilin resigns from political life

Prominent Oslo architect will reportedly go into business, but plans to stay involved in public activity.

By SHELLY PAZ
beilin 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
beilin 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
MK Yossi Beilin, former head of the Meretz Party, announced on Tuesday night that he is quitting politics to enter business. "I received [news of] Beilin's decision to quit with great sadness," Meretz chairman Haim Oron said. He added that Beilin have informed him of his intentions several days ago. "Beilin is of the [country's] most important leaders. [He has] shaped a political path that most of Israel's citizens support today. I hope and believe that his brave way of thinking will continue to serve Israel and Meretz in the future," Oron said. Beilin is identified above all with the "peace camp" and has been one of the most influential left-wing figures in the state's 60 years. Reports that he intended to quit politics were published in March, but Beilin denied the reports and said he intended to remain in politics. Beilin was chairman of Meretz until six months ago and said on various occasions that he planned to run for the next Knesset. However, after long deliberation, he has decided to leave politics and enter the private sector. The Meretz MK refused to comment on his decision on Tuesday, but close associates said he planned to continue in public service, promoting his political initiatives - especially the Geneva Initiative. Beilin began his political career in 1977 as Labor Party spokesman and served as cabinet secretary and political director-general at the Foreign Ministry. For many years, he was considered Shimon Peres's protégé. He was elected to the Knesset for the first time in 1988. In 1999, he quit the legislature after he was appointed justice minister and in 2000 he was appointed religious affairs minister. In 2004, he joined Meretz-Yahad, a party that today holds five mandates, down from 12 at its peak. Beilin helped formulate the private Geneva Initiative, whose goal is a peace agreement between the Israel and the Palestinians.