Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot plunged into politics Sunday announcing he would be joining the political alliance between Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and New Hope head Gideon Sa'ar.
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The three plan to call their slate the "State Party." It will be headed by Gantz, with Sa'ar as his second and Eizenkot in the third place.
A few hours after Eizenkot's announcement, MK Matan Kahana announced he was leaving Yamina and joining the three. His position on the slate has yet to be determined.
"This union will be the basis for the formation on a broad, stable, stately government that would bring the prolonged political crisis to an end, heal the rifts in Israeli society, and advance Israel's interests in the spheres of national security, economy, domestic security, and education," a statement issued by the State Party said.
The party was referring to the political instability that has plagued Israel since 2019. The Nov. 1 elections – called after the coalition led by then-Yamina head Naftali Bennett collapsed after a mere year in office – will be the fifth time in three years that Israelis will go to the polls.
Sources privy to Eizenkot's move said that he began meeting with Gantz on the issue last year. The two reportedly held over 10 meeting to see whether a political collaboration was possible.
Eizenkot emerged as a highly sought-after candidate across the last two election campaigns, but the former chief of staff appeared reluctant to join the political fray and had previously rejected an offer by Prime Minister Yair Lapid to join his Yesh Atid party at the second slot on the slate.
A close associate of the former IDF chief told Israel Hayom that he decided against joining because he believed the move would do little to shift the deadlocked political map in Israel.
Joining Gantz and Sa'ar has the potential to effect a considerable change among "soft Right" voters.
Eizenkot was reportedly also promised reserved seats on the joint slate – at slots number 9, 16, and 18.
Gantz and Sa'ar welcomed Eizenkot to the political ranks.
While Gantz – himself a former IDF chief – sufficed with a "Gadi – welcome!" tweet, Sa'ar noted that "Gadi is a man of principles and values, a Zionist through and through, who is dedicated to Israel's security and the Israeli society."
Lapid also welcomed Eizenkot's decision, tweeting, "I've spoken with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and welcomed him into politics. Eizenkot is a smart and ethical man and I have no doubt he will make a considerable contribution to public life."
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