Netanyahu Ramps Up Pressure on Former General Gabi Ashkenazi to Join Likud

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying efforts to recruit former IDF Chief of Staff and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to the Likud party list ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. The push aims to position Ashkenazi as the party's leading security figure for the campaign. Recent reports indicate significant pressure has been applied to Ashkenazi by various figures, including prominent Likud-affiliated mayors acting on behalf of the party leadership. These efforts are reportedly seeking Ashkenazi's agreement to accept a direct, reserved spot on the Likud list, personally allocated by Netanyahu.

Netanyahu's circle views Ashkenazi's potential addition as a major political and strategic asset, believing his extensive military and diplomatic experience would significantly bolster the party's security credentials and appeal to voters. This is not the first attempt to recruit Ashkenazi; similar overtures were made before the 2022 elections, though he declined them at that time. Past interactions include ongoing discussions on sensitive security matters and Ashkenazi's public claim in 2020 that Netanyahu offered him the position of Defense Minister, suggesting a long-standing relationship.

As the deadline for finalizing party lists approaches, these recruitment efforts have reached a critical stage, aiming for a last-minute development that could reshape the Likud's candidate roster. The outcome of these intensified negotiations is expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Notably, Ashkenazi currently serves as the president of Israeli cybersecurity firms based in Ra'anana that provide support services to the Qatari army, including training soldiers in cybersecurity. This business connection, which has been ongoing for approximately eight years, could become a point of consideration in the political calculus, especially given recent public sensitivities surrounding Israel-Qatar relations. The companies have stated their activities are defensive and pose no legal impediment.