NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd. chairman of the board of directors Alex Wiznitzer sent a letter to Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz today announcing that he had decided to resign his position. Last month, investigators of the Israel Police Lahav 433 division raided Wiznitzer's offices. He is suspected of being a mediator in the major corruption scandal exposed in the Ministry of the Interior.
"In the current situation, and in view of the events in recent weeks, I see no possibility of carrying out my duties at NTA as I have until now, and as I planned to do in my vision," the letter read.
The NTA chairman, who is responsible for construction of the Tel Aviv light rail project, asserted that no one had asked him to resign; he said he was doing it to protect his good name. "Out of a feeling of family responsibility and due to my wish to devote my time in the near future to protecting the most important asset in my life, my good name, I submit this announcement to you," the letter stated.
Wiznitzer added, "This is not easy for me, but as someone who has the greatest regard for company's good, and still does, this is the right decision in the circumstances. I have contributed more than a little over the years to the systems in which I served in public positions with professionalism, unlimited dedication, and a feeling of mission and loyalty to the public."
Wiznitzer ends his letter as follows: "I assume and am confident that later, after it is proven that no stain can be attached to me, and in the name of the values in which I believe, I will return to my important work with renewed strength."
Confidants of the chairman today expressed regret that he had decided to leave his position, saying, "NTA is the loser. The chairman did fine work."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 22, 2015
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015