Politics Beckons Former IDF Chief Ashkenazi

Former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi has emerged as a positive political asset, following Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein’s decision to clear him of any wrongdoing in the Harpaz Affair.

The Zionist Camp and Yesh Atid both made overtures to Ashkenazi, saying that if he chooses to enter politics, they would be happy to have him in their ranks.

“I welcome former chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, Ronit, and his family, on the closing of the file and the weight that was removed from their shoulders,” Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog said.

Zionist Camp officials said anyone who could help defeat Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu should join their party.

Yair Lapid, who reportedly has offered Ashkenazi a place on his electoral list, wrote that “this is important news for his family, for the IDF, and the state.”

Sources close to Ashkenazi said he needs some time to think it over, now that the ordeal of a five-year investigation has ended.

In a sarcastic swipe at those wooing the retired general, a Likud official said the Center-Left had been waiting for a general to save them from their poor leadership for many years. Their current leadership, Herzog, Tzipi Livni and the previous Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich, have all lacked military experience.