without me: After a long and difficult debate, the 21st Chief of Staff, Major General in reserve Gadi Izenkot, decided not to join the political system at this stage. Lieberman received a separate message.
Gadi Izenkot against government policy. Photo: Courtesy of the IDC Herzliya
The reasons that led to Izenkot’s decision illustrate how much he winks at a different material, a bit strange, that is not typical of our political system nor of senior members of the defense establishment for generations. First, it’s a cold. Izenkot considered entering politics because he did not estimate that the election would take place so early. Their dramatic advancement caused him to enter politics less than two years after wearing the chief of staff’s uniform. It did not look right to him, it did not look clean to him, it did not suit his eyes. The cooling had to be completed, even ostensibly.
In doing so, he is perhaps alluding to Yossi Cohen and Aviv Kochavi, the future colds. The cooling-off law stipulates a three-year cooling-off, which is reset in the event of an election taking place in progress. Technically, Izenkot is qualified. Essentially and perhaps even morally, he did not feel that way.
This, and more: a hasty entrance is now perceived in his eyes as a wild run along with the herd towards an obscure goal. He did not form a party, did not build a political base for himself, he looks at the sea of new parties, the new and old joiners and he does not so much want to join this party. Besides, he also did not find a political home that would suit his positions and situation.
If Izenkot had joined politics 20-30 years ago, he would have joined Menachem Begin’s Likud. But Menachem Begin’s Likud is no more. The Likud, for its part, as long as it is headed by a bribe accused, is irrelevant. Izenkot tended to join Gideon Saar, but the addition of Zeev Elkin, I appreciate, marked the Saar party as too right-wing for him. With Yair Lapid, he did not feel comfortable because of the disqualification of the ultra-Orthodox. He sat with all the party leaders for hours on end, but did not feel that any of them opened the door to a real house that would justify his quick and hasty entry into politics. Maybe later.
It should be emphasized that Izenkot did not speak to any of his suitors about roles, did not demand honors, armor or a high place. On the contrary. He spoke only of values and ideology. And one more thing: he looks at his good friends, and especially Gabi Ashkenazi, but also Bnei Gantz and Boogie Ya’alon, the chiefs of staff who stumbled upon politics. Was like this: analytical, systematic, thorough and in-depth. Galloping in now, just not right for this man.
At this stage, it can be estimated that Gabi Ashkenazi will also step aside, although this is not yet final. If we have the “Israelis” party, why not the Golanchik Party next time? time will tell.