Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, a much sought-after candidate by parties ranging from Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope to Yesh Atid, has decided not to enter politics at this point, he announced Wednesday.
Sa'ar was putting heavy pressure on Eizenkot to run on his new list, and Eizenkot was also being courted by Naftali Bennett, Ron Huldai, and Moshe Ya'alon.
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One factor in Eizenkot's decision to sit the 2021 election out is apparently the mandatory "cooling-off" period for former high-ranking military figures. The March 2021 election overlaps that period for Eizenkot, which would have prevented him from being appointed to a ministerial position in any new government that was formed for several more months.
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.
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