Former Chief of Staff Gadi Izenkot, who has been considering entering political life for a long time, updated today (Wednesday) a number of party leaders who had a dialogue with him that he does not intend to run in the upcoming elections.
Gideon Saar put heavy pressure on Izenkot to join his new list. His name is also associated with the right, Lish Atid, Ron Huldai and Moshe (Boogie) Ya’alon. In fact, at least five different parties have expressed interest in joining them.
One of the reasons that apparently influenced the decision is the cooling-off period stipulated in the law, according to which he will not be able to Izenkot fulfill the role of minister in the coming months.
PM Netanyahu resigns from Izenkot at the end of his term as Chief of Staff // Archive
In an interview published by Yoav Limor in “Shishvat” magazine with Gadi Izenkot last May, the former chief of staff said he wanted to “come back and make an impact.” On my predecessors – Benny, Gabi, Halutz, Mofaz, Boogie, and also Back, Barak and Rabin and others. After a break and a stay in a comfortable space you look at what is happening here, and you want to make a better country and make an impact, and get up with a gleam in your eyes. What is the luster in the eyes? Wait a little longer. “
In an interview, he added: “I was the military secretary of two prime ministers, Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon, and I was by their side 16-12 hours a day. I saw up close that the influence is through leadership and through action from within the systems.”