Ex-IDF Chief Eizenkot Joins Gantz-Sa’ar Alliance

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM — Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot plunged into politics Sunday, announcing that he would be joining the political alliance between Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and New Hope head Gideon Sa’ar.

The three plan to call their slate the “National Unity.” It will be headed by Gantz, with Sa’ar as his second and Eizenkot in third place.

Shortly 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 of 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 National Unity 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 Naftali Bennett collapsed after just a 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 ten meetings 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.

Joining Gantz and Sa’ar has the potential to effect a considerable change among “soft Right” voters.

Eizenkot was reportedly promised reserved seats on the joint slate – slots number 9, 16 and 18.

Yamina leader Ayelet Shaked, renamed Zionist Spirit, “congratulated” her former colleague:

“I wish success to my friend Matan Kahana on his new path, and to Gadi Eisenkot on joining politics,” Shaked wrote on Twitter.

“There’s no doubt that this is good news for the statesmanlike left-wing camp and left-wing voters,” mocking the right-wing Kahana.

Addressing her own supporters, Shaked continued, “we will ensure that in any government that is established, they won’t be able to advance their shared vision with Gantz of establishing a Palestinian state.”

“Things have become clearer to the statesmanlike right. There is only one home — the Zionist Spirit.”

The home has been emptying out. Kahana’s decision to ditch the party just three remaining Knesset members: Shaked, Yomtob Kalfon and Abir Kara.

Another Yamina lawmaker, Nir Orbach, is not expected to run again with the party after helping bring down the coalition, and may seek to join another faction.