JERUSALEM (AP) — One of Israel's most popular television personalities is quitting the news business to get into politics.
Channel 2 TV announced the resignation Sunday of Yair Lapid, who is expected to launch his own party. Lapid is a best-selling author and columnist who has anchored Channel 2's top-rated weekend news edition for the past four years.
The 48-year-old Lapid had long been rumored to be considering an entry into politics. Polls show him scoring highly among the public, particularly with urban secular voters. Elections in Israel are currently slated for late 2013 but could take place as early as this year.
Lapid's late father, Joseph, also moved between journalism and politics. He served as justice minister and was an outspoken critic of Israel's Orthodox religious establishment.
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