Blue & White party number no. 2, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi announced on Wednesday that he will resign from the party and “take a break” from politics.
“I have decided not to continue with Blue & White and take a break and measure my future life,” said the former IDF chief executive.
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi
(Photo: AFP)
“I want to thank Benny [Gantz] for the partnership and wish him every success. I will continue my career [as foreign minister] as best I can. ”
Ashkenazi is the latest in a line of outspoken Blue & White officials ahead of the March 23 elections, including Asaf Zamir, Miki Haimovich and outgoing justice minister Avi Nissenkorn.
As his party seemed to fall apart around his ears, Benny Gantz defiantly held a press conference Tuesday night announcing that he would remain as leader of Blue & White and work until his partner his current coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has resigned.
On Wednesday, he paid homage to leaving second place in command, which he himself had led the Israeli army before entering the political arena.
Gabi Ashkenazi, left, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Benny Gantz in August
(Photo: Ministry of Defense)
“I honor the decision of my friend Gabi Ashkenazi and extend my heartfelt thanks for these two years of partnership for the good of our country,” Gantz said on Twitter.
“Gabi and I have known each other for years and I have great respect for him. Gabi helped the Foreign Ministry recover from years of neglect and reaffirmation as the main influential ministry that should be , while helping to prevent unrest and promote regional normalization, “Gantz said.
“I am confident that he will continue to make a significant contribution to Israel’s public life,” he said.
LR: Miki Haimovich, Asaf Zamir and Gabi Ashkenazi
(Photos: Avi Moalem and Moti Kimchi)
On Tuesday, Nissenkorn announced that he had suspended Blue & White and resigned from his ministry to join Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai’s new party “The Israelis” in the elections. to come.
Blue & White, which won the most seats in March 2020, is expected to win just five in the next elections to be held in March 2021.