Yesh Atid Trades Peri, German To Zionist Union For 8 Minor-League Prospects

“Yael and Yaakov can help us shore up our sense of frustration and dissatisfaction. That’s our currency,” said Herzog.

Jerusalem, February 20 – Two prominent Opposition factions have reached a deal to exchange established MKs for politicians in the farm system of local government teams, the parties announced today.

According to the announcement, Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid Party will part with MKs Yael German and Yaakov Peri, who will now join the Zionist Union faction, and in return the party will gain seven up-and-coming lawmakers from Zionist Union factions in various local and municipal councils, plus a politician to be named later.

Leaders of both groups held a joint press conference to discuss the trade. Opposition leader Isaac Herzog, head of the Zionist Union and the Labor Party, stood at a podium with Hatnua leader and co-chief of the Zionist Union Tzipi Livni, and with Lapid. The three voiced satisfaction with both the results of the trade negotiations and with the positive atmosphere that characterized the talks.

“Yael and Yaakov have served us well, and we wish both them and our Opposition colleagues good fortune with them,” stated Lapid. “We in Yesh Atid have known for some time that we need to augment our minor-league manpower. We have to develop future talent, and not merely recruit those who are available. This arrangement will allow us to invest better in our future.”

Herzog and Livni, for their part, welcomed Peri and German. “These fine politicians are a good fit for us,” explained Herzog. “Labor has been out of power for so long we’ve forgotten what it means to be recently in power – let alone actually be in power, which isn’t a fit for us at all. Yesh Atid, at least, was in Netanyahu’s previous government, so Yael and Yaakov can help us shore up our sense of frustration and dissatisfaction. That’s our currency.” He added that the price of minor-league politicians was a bearable loss, since Labor has always boasted a rich farm system in that regard, with representatives on almost every city or regional council.

Livni added a personal note. “I know what’s it’s like to move from party to party,” she told her new teammates. “Political affiliation can be a fluid thing. But for all the time we’re working together, be it weeks or months, I look forward to what we can accomplish.”

Analysts noted that the Zionist Union now faces two thorny issues: whether to assign the newcomers to Labor or Hatnua, and the way Peri and German will be integrated into the existing faction. “I think the party affiliation will be easier to resolve,” predicted radio commentator Hanan Krystal. “But the sitting MKs aren’t going to be happy about platooning and getting less play time to make room for the new people. By the time this legislative session is over, Livni will probably split off to form yet another party with the disgruntled MKs.”

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