Izencoat Demands Party Loyalty, Threatens Mandate Return for Defectors

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party, announced on Wednesday that the party will establish a covenant and ethical code to prevent elected officials from defecting while retaining their Knesset seats. This initiative aims to preclude situations similar to those involving former MKs Idit Silman and Amichai Chikli, who left their parties but continued to serve in the Knesset. Eisenkot described such actions as "despicable" and something to be "condemned in Israeli politics."

Under the proposed code, any elected official who decides to leave the party due to disagreements must resign from the Knesset and return their mandate. "If you decide to resign, return the mandate," Eisenkot stated.

Eisenkot revealed he has spoken with all 40 candidates on the Yisrael party list, acknowledging that internal disagreements may arise. However, he expects candidates to adhere to the principle he exemplified when he parted ways with Benny Gantz. "We will create a covenant in Yisrael, also to set an example for other parties, and we will write down Yisrael's ethical code," he said. "Among other things, we will require that anyone who disagrees does not commit an act of betrayal and desertion when elected by the votes of a specific population. If he feels he cannot identify with a decision or a path, he should submit a letter of resignation."

Eisenkot cited his own departure from Gantz, whom he considered a friend for 40 years, as an example of how to handle disputes. He recounted informing Gantz of their disagreement, leaving his meeting, and submitting his resignation to the Knesset Speaker, an action also taken by Matan Kahana who joined him. Eisenkot noted that he was offered opportunities to remain in the Knesset by splitting from the party on that same day but chose to return his mandate, stating, "On that day, there were offers from many parties. I said: absolutely not, I am returning the mandate, and I set the personal example."