Dadi Shemhi: I’ll back the side that helps avoid another election

Reserve Brig. Gen. Dadi Shemhi said in a candid conversation on the podcast "Medabrim Tekuma" with Yair Belchovsky that his top priority is stabilizing Israel’s political system and preventing another election cycle. He said he is prepared to make a one-sided choice if necessary, but only in favor of the camp that shows maturity and responsibility.

Shemhi said that, in principle, supporting one side to prevent prolonged governmental paralysis and a new campaign is the right move. "The answer in general should be yes, in principle yes, with the intention of minimizing damage. I think both sides need to do this in the same way," he said.

He added that after the ballot, his backing would depend on a fair and respectful offer from whichever bloc receives the mandate. If Benjamin Netanyahu is tasked with forming the coalition, Shemhi said he would press him to broaden the government and include Gadi Eizenkot. "I tell him, take Gadi too, and make a proper and respectable offer. If Gadi says no, that is his problem, as long as the offer is proper and measurable," he said.

Shemhi also drew a red line for the Likud and the right-wing bloc. If Gadi Eizenkot gets the mandate and Likud refuses to join for political reasons, Shemhi said he would side with Eizenkot rather than force Israel into another election. "If Gadi gets all the mandates and there is a proper offer to Likud and it does not join, then I will go with Gadi, because in the end this country is more important than any of the names," he said. "The way I see my mission is to connect the two of them."