Yesh Atid’s Yaakov Peri resigns from Knesset

Yesh Atid Knesset member Yaakov Peri announces his resignation from the Knesset in the wake of allegations that he leaked information to Shas MK Aryeh Deri while the latter was under investigation for corruption over two decades ago.

In a statement, Peri cites heart problems for his resignation, but also notes the “long shadow” cast by the investigative TV report last month on the opposition party.

“I never hid the fact that health problems prevented me from competing full military service. In the past months there are those who are trying to undermine my credibility and long years of service to the State of Israel,” he says in a statement. “I fought my whole life and was injured during my service in the Shin Bet. Due to the fact that these one-sided publications are casting a long shadow on my long years of service for the security of Israel and on the values of Yesh Atid, I have decided to take time out from my public life and resign from the Knesset.”