Blue & White breaks further apart with new departures of key people

Pleader and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Sunday rejected MKs Asaf Zamir and Miki Haimovich from the party after the two lawyers refused to vote for a motion to postpone the date for the state budget presentation government and block another round of elections, the fourth in Israel in less than two years.

Gantz also met his number. 2, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who is currently considering whether to resign from political life or form a new party ahead of the March 2021 elections.

The removal of Haimovich and Zamir from Blue & White came after the pair, along with MK Ram Shefa, chose to vote against the compromise between Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the deadline for state budget to 31 December.

With 47 votes in favor to 49 against, the bill was eventually repealed – prompting the Knesset’s automatic rollout and another round of elections.

In response to her appointment, Haimovich wrote: “I met with Benny Gantz and we have agreed to end our political affiliation. I will not run out of Blue & White tickets for the upcoming Knesset chair. It’s a decision I feel comfortable with. “

“I chose the ideological differences between my path and my conscience and the path Gantz chose went deeper and made it impossible. I am proud of the way I voted to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from staying in office. “

MK Zamir also wrote on social media: “Benny Gantz invited me to a meeting where he informed me that I will not be included on a Blue & White ticket for the Knesset after my vote this week. went. “

“We have left our friends as friends and I have thanked him for the trust he has placed in me so far and I have prayed for him to do all that is necessary for the center left to join the elections. in a way that allows him to run for his power. “