MK Avraham Burg (Labor) submitted a letter of resignation from the Knesset to Knesset speaker MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) this morning. Burg's resignation takes effect in 48 hours.
Burg now enters the business world, and will apparently head a new investment fund established by British businessman Ian Nigel Davis. Davis heads the 3i (Investment In Industry) group, which is invested in several Israeli factories, among them Phoenicia America-Israel (Flat Glass). Burg will also be engaged in social affairs.
Burg will be replaced by Labor party member Jaleb Majadla, a Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) member from Baqa Al-Gharbiyye.
Additionally, Labor Party sources said that MK Haim Ramon (Labor) has "one foot out the door". Ramon's comment on the matter last week was "It's all nonsense".
After 12 years in the Knesset, Burg wanted to find an alternative occupation, far from the local political arena. He cultivated ties with the European Union, in addition to the links he forged with wealthy Jewish personages during his time as Jewish Agency chairman.
Burg and Ramon were once outstanding Labor Party figures, and considered the natural heirs to its leadership. What is clear is that, against their wills, they have come to a crossroads as Histadrut chairman MK Amir Perez returns to the party in an attempt to take it over. Hints from Burg and Ramon that they lack the personal strength to go on are also indicative of their political standing, which appears ready to buckle out from under them, too.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on Sunday, June 27, 2004