One of the Knesset's most veteran members, MK Yossi Sarid (Meretz) announced Thursday that he will retire from political life. Sarid said that he felt his chances of becoming a minister in the next government were slim, and that he did not wish to "break records" like Shimon Peres.

The MK will hold a press conference Friday morning to officially mark his retirement. Rumors of Sarid's retirement abounded in recent months, especially after Labor MKs Avraham Shochat and Amram Mitzna announced their resignation several weeks ago. The move also comes less than 24 hours after Shimon Peres announced that he would be leaving the Labor party and the Knesset to seek a ministerial position in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new party.

Sarid's political career spanned more than 32 years, during which he served as Minister of the Environment in the Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres governments, and as Minister of Education under Ehud Barak. In 1999, he led Meretz to its biggest victory to date, winning 10 mandates in the Knesset.

Sarid stepped down as the head of Meretz after the party's defeat in the 2003 elections, but continued to represent the party in the Knesset. MK Yossi Beilin, who replaced Sarid as heard of Meretz, had a notoriously rocky relationship with Sarid. Meretz party officials said that Sarid's retirement was cemented after Beilin was reelected as Meretz party leader this month.

Sarid also said that Meretz is undergoing a crisis at present and he hopes it does not lose more seats in the upcoming election. "Right now I still don't see anyone better than our movement," said Sarid. He added that he hopes to continue teaching in Sderot.

Meanwhile, Haim Oron (Meretz-Yahad) announced on Thursday he is to stay in politics and run for a seat with Meretz. "After personal debates and in light of the chances Meretz and the peace camp have for bringing to a breakthrough in the peace process and a general social upheaval, I have decided to continue my political and parliamentary activities," Oron said, imitating the speech given by Peres Wednesday night.