Latest news with #GadiEisenkot
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot formally resigns from Knesset
"I have seen greatness in serving the people," he wrote. "I will act with faith and commitment to creating a leadership alternative worthy of the State of Israel." National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot formally submitted his letter of resignation from the Knesset to Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana on Wednesday. "I have seen greatness in serving the people," he wrote. "I will act with faith and commitment to creating a leadership alternative worthy of the State of Israel." 'Member of Knesset Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot informed National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz of his intention to leave the party and return his mandate to it,' the party said in a statement earlier in the week. 'The two emphasized their long-standing friendship and mutual respect, and stated that they will continue to collaborate toward shared goals and for the benefit of the people of Israel in the future as well." Eisenkot held a press conference on Tuesday, elaborating his reasons for leaving Gantz's party. Eisenkot began by mentioning the establishment of the National Unity party three years ago, together with Benny Gantz and Gideon Sa'ar, with the aim of creating a liberal democratic state Zionist union. He emphasized that these principles are even more true after the October 7 failure. He said that he has been working for many months to strengthen the liberal party bloc, with the aim of presenting a governing alternative. Referring to his relationship with Benny Gantz, he clarified that his exit is not a personal matter but rather highlights a substantive debate. "I thought that a transparent and deep democratization process was needed to build the party as a significant entity, and unfortunately, that didn't happen. There was also a disagreement on the way to create change. We need to build a leadership alternative that will lead to victory in the next elections," Eisenkot said. Eisenkot has reportedly met with both Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and is considering joining both of them ahead of the next election.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MK Gadi Eisenkot announces split from Gantz's National Unity party
Eisenkot reportedly said the party's primaries "do not reflect the principles of democratization that I believe are necessary for a ruling party." In a remarkable political development on Monday, MK Benny Gantz's National Unity party announced on Sunday that the party's number two, former IDF chief of staff MK Gadi Eisenkot, was leaving the party and resigning from the Knesset. 'Member of Knesset Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot informed National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz of his intention to leave the party and return his mandate to it,' the party said in a statement. 'The two emphasized their long-standing friendship and mutual respect, and stated that they will continue to collaborate toward shared goals and for the benefit of the people of Israel in the future as well," the party statement concluded. Eisenkot ran alongside Gantz in the 2022 election after receiving guarantees that the party would undergo a 'democratization' process that will include a primary election, including for party leadership. However, Gantz failed to deliver on that process. The party announced on June1 that had approved a series of measures intended at opening and broadening its ranks, including an election for party leadership. However, the measures stipulated that a 150-member body would elect the party leader, whose members will be chosen by Gantz. This made it unrealistic for Eisenkot to compete for party leadership. Eisenkot has reportedly met with both Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and is considering joining both of them ahead of the next election. Eisenkot's resignation means that former Ra'anana mayor and MK Eytan Ginzburg, who is next on the party's list, will enter in his stead. The announcement was a blow to Gantz, who has attempted to portray a unified front with Eisenkot in recent months despite rumors of Eisenkot considering his departure. Eisenkot is the fifth MK to leave Gantz's party, after Foreign Minister MK Gideon Sa'ar broke from the party in March 2024, when National Unity was part of the government, over criticism of Gantz's policies regarding the Gaza war. Gantz put out a statement of his own soon after the party's announcement. "Following a deep and lengthy process of conversations between us, my friend Gadi Eisenkot informed me today that he has decided to leave the National Unity party and resign from the Knesset. In recent weeks, significant ideological differences have emerged between us regarding the right way to serve the State of Israel," Gantz said. "Gadi is, first and foremost, a personal friend. He is a worthy individual who has served the country for decades, and I am confident he will continue to serve it in his own way. Even if our political partnership has come to an end at this time — our friendship and mutual respect will remain," Gantz conclude
