One of the most talked-about issues of the pre-election "silly season" is what former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot will choose to do in politics.
Eizenkot is being courted by a number of parties, and will likely announce this coming week which one he intends to join.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Recently, former Likud minister Gideon Sa'ar – who just announced he is breaking with the movement to form his own party – has been pressuring Eizenkot to join his new list. Sa'ar and Eizenkot reportedly talked at the start of this week, and Eizenkot told Sa'ar that he would give him a final answer at the start of next week.
Meanwhile, members of Sa'ar's new party are saying that Eizenkot is leaning toward joining them.
The main issue Eizenkot is facing is whether to enter politics now or wait for the next election. The deliberation has to do with the mandatory cooling-off period for high-ranking IDF retirees, which would prevent Eizenkot from being assigned a ministerial portfolio in the next few months.
Sa'ar is not the only politician who wants to secure Eizenkot for his list. Yesh Atid-Telem, Yamina, and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai's new party have all discussed him as a possible candidate. Those who know Eizenkot say he leans Right, and therefore there is little chance he would join Huldai's list.
Last May, Israel Hayom defense analyst Yoav Limor interviewed Eizenkot. In the interview, Eizenkot said he wanted to "return and have an influence."
Eizenkot told the paper that after spending some time in his "comfort zone," he wanted to return to the public sphere, noting that he had served as defense secretary to two prime ministers, Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon.
"I saw from up close that influence is a form of leadership and a way to get things done in the system," he said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
