MK Arial Attias (Shas) announced, after much speculation that he might be soon resigning from politics and leaving the Knesset, that he is not resigning (for now) but will be taking a break from the Knesset.

I dont know what it means to "take a break" from the Knesset... Shas has 11 MKs in the Knesset - do they now only have 10 in practice? If he would resign, someone lower down would move up and fill the empty seat - by taking a break is he preventing that from happening? I dont know. I think "taking a break" is not really fair for Shas, if he wont be around to support their work and efforts (votes) but won't allow someone else to replace him..

I think it is a shame. I though Attias was a good and effective minister. He worked, he concentrated on his ministry rather than constantly getting involved in other issues, and he got things done. It is a shame that Israeli politics will be losing Arial Attias.