Knesset elder statesman and veteran Labor party MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has stepped down from his position, announcing he is retiring from politics. The 78-year-old MK made the announcement on Thursday morning 19 Kislev from a hospital bed in Assaf HaRofeh Hospital. He is being treated for a systemic infection.

The MK, who has chronic health issues, is the subject of a major police investigation alleging he accepted bribes and involved in money laundering. Police have forwarded the case to the state prosecutor with a recommendation to move ahead with a criminal indictment against him and his son Yariv.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)