Yesh Atid opposition party leader MK Yair Lapid announced his party is centrist and he will not join a left-wing block in Knesset.

Speaking to Channel 2 News, Lapid explained he will not interfere with left-wing efforts to organize, but his party will not be a part of it.

He added his reason for entering politics was not merely to oust Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, but the party has an agenda. He cited that he was a cabinet member during the last IDF military operation in Gaza, Operation Protective Edge; explaining, “I looked at all of us in a very powerful decision-making position and determined who is cool, who can make decisions, who understands the full width of the situation and who is not, and I can manage it better.”

He added he is in regular contact with former Defense Minister Moshe Ya�alon and has learned they have a great deal in common and plan to remain in touch until the elections.

Likud officials added, �In response to his statements pertaining to PM Netanyahu�s handling of Operation Protective Ede, his criticism is shattered compared to Lapid�s compliments made on August 7, 2014 regarding the management of the operation by PM Netanyahu when he said, �the cabinet acted responsibly and conducted the operation properly� and who ran the cabinet?�

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)