Former IDF chief of staff MK Gadi Eisenkot is leaving Benny Gantz’s National Unity party and resigning from the Knesset, the party announced on Monday.
“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 continued.
Eisenkot ran alongside Gantz in the 2022 elections after receiving guarantees that the party would undergo a “democratization” process that would add a primary election, including for party leadership. However, the National Unity chair failed to deliver on that process.
The party announced on June 1 that it had approved a series of measures intended to open and broaden its ranks, including an election for party leadership. However, the measures stipulated that a 150-member body would elect the party leader, whose members would be chosen by Gantz. This made it unrealistic for Eisenkot to compete for party leadership.
The former chief of staff has reportedly met with opposition leader MK Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) and former prime minister Naftali Bennett and is considering joining one of them ahead of the next election.
Eisenkot considering joining Lapid, Bennett for 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 the latter considering departing. Eisenkot is the fifth MK to leave National Unity after Foreign Minister MK Gideon Sa’ar broke from the party in March 2024, when it was part of the government, over criticism of Gantz’s policies regarding the Israel-Hamas War.
The party leader put out a statement soon after the 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,” Gantz said.
“In recent weeks, significant ideological differences have emerged between us regarding the right way to serve the State of Israel. “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,” Gantz added.
“Even if our political partnership has come to an end at this time, our friendship and mutual respect will remain.”