Former Interior Minister Moshe Arbel informed Shas chairman Aryeh Deri on Sunday morning that he has decided to retire from political life and will not run in the upcoming Knesset elections

Arbel’s resignation comes six years after first entering the Knesset, following years of serving in various roles within the Shas movement, including in Deri’s office.

Arbel arrived at the Knesset on Sunday morning for a meeting with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and submitted his immediate resignation from the Knesset.

The resignation will take effect within 48 hours. Former MK Erez Malul is expected to return to the Knesset in Arbel’s place.

Arbel did not reveal the reason for his resignation, but according to a Kikar H’Shabbat report, Arbel already stated three years ago that this would be his last term in politics. During a closed meeting attended by several figures from Israeli public life, Arbel remarked: “At the end of the current term, I intend to retire from political life; I have no interest in becoming entrenched in the position.”

Also, in an interview with Kikar H’Shabbat, when he was serving simultaneously as Interior Minister and Health Minister shortly before the October 7 attack, Arbel said: “I don’t enjoy the position because I work very hard. It comes at the expense of my wife and children, whom I see only on Shabbos. I am paying a personal price; it is very difficult. I’m not a hero.”

Arbel wrote in his resignation letter that he now intends to devote time to his family, limmud Torah, and completing his doctoral degree in law at Reichman University.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)