Ex-IDF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi Offered Top Spot on Likud List
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has reportedly been offered a prominent position on the Likud party's Knesset list, including a spot within the top five candidates. While Ashkenazi has previously rejected offers to join the Likud as a reserved candidate over the past two months, pressure has intensified recently, with assurances of a high-ranking security role.
Ashkenazi has declined to comment on the matter. Political analysts suggest that his chances of joining Likud are slim, partly due to his close friendship with Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of the "Yisrael" party. Meanwhile, sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud chairman, believe he may not be able to fill all the reserved slots he desires. Some of these reserved positions might be used to elevate candidates who secured less favorable spots in the primaries, such as Minister Avi Dichter.
The Likud secretariat meeting to approve the reserved list candidates may be postponed from its original date to Tuesday, allowing Netanyahu more time. Last week, it was reported that Netanyahu's circle had offered Ofer Vinter, chairman of the "Am Yisrael" party, a discussion about a potential merger and reserved spots on the Likud list. However, Vinter refused the conversation, stating there was "nothing to discuss."
According to reports, Likud is prepared to offer Vinter all five remaining reserved slots for Netanyahu, with four of them placed before the 30th position, in exchange for his withdrawal from independent candidacy. Vinter has not yet formally received this offer, as he has not responded to the outreach.
