MK David Tzur has become the second Knesset member to resign from Tzipi Livni's Hatnua party on Tuesday, in an announcement indicating that he was retiring from politics. Tzur stated to Livni upon his resignation that he supported Livni's pact with Yitzhak Herzog's Labor Party, and that he hopes other center parties would join a left-wing bloc to provide an alternative to the current government. "I am satisfied from my service in the 19th Knesset and my main activities as Chairman of the Subcommittee on human trafficking and prostitution, Chairman of the Subcommittee for road safety and Chairman of the Joint Committee to prevent violence, racism and illegal gambling in sports," Tzur said. Tzur added that his "friendship with MK Livni goes back many years." "I thank her for the opportunity given to me to serve the people of Israel," he stated. "I will continue to be involved and contribute to the public, either politically or part of another framework." Livni responded by noting her appreciation for Tzur's work throughout the years. "Throughout the years Tzuri (a nickname - ed.) was a true public representative and a friend," Livni said. She further praised "determination to struggle against violence in society and his deep devotion for women's rights and protection." "I'm sure that in the future we will work again together to better Israeli society and security," she concluded. Tzur's resignation follows a separate announcement from MK Elazar Stern on Saturday night, who announced his own resignation from Hatnua via open letter. Stern heavily criticized Livni's decision to join with Labor in the letter, noting that it is too Leftist for him, as Hatnua is a "Center-Left" party.
