Dadi Shimchi Conditions Any Run With Benny Gantz on Joint Leadership

Brig. Gen. (res.) Dadi Shimchi, the former Fire and Rescue Commissioner who recently announced his formal entry into politics, is dropping heavy hints tonight, Thursday, about his political future. In an interview on the program “Sari and Schlesinger” on the Walla website, Shimchi made clear that if he decides to join Benny Gantz and jump into politics alongside him, it would be conditional on full partnership at the top. "Joint leadership in a party is obvious, I did not come to be number 7 or 9," Shimchi declared firmly. "The difference between first and second place is irrelevant. In a party that will not win 30 seats and will not produce a prime minister, these numbers are less relevant and we can manage. Ego should not lead us."

In recent months, Shimchi has been holding an intense marathon of meetings behind the scenes with a long list of existing and new players in the political system, in an effort to forge a broad list that could ultimately force a Zionist unity government. "I have been trying for almost a year and eight months to establish a bloc that will bring people together. I have met with most of the players who want to join and also some who are already there," he said. "I sat with Prof. Yaron Zelicha, Gilaad Erdan, Benny Gantz, and also with former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch. These are good people who understand that the most important thing for the State of Israel right now is a broad Zionist government."

On the table, a joint run with Ofer Winter? Another intriguing option being examined in Shimchi’s circle is a political partnership with Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter. According to Shimchi, a reliable polling institute that conducted a test for him found that a joint list of the two could be a surprise at the ballot box and be worth no fewer than nine seats. However, for now, the talks between them are stalled. "It takes two to tango, Winter has his own considerations," Shimchi admitted. "I spoke with him a month ago. I am doing what I can with what I have."

Despite the Winter option, it appears that the former Fire and Rescue Commissioner is currently mainly heading toward a connection with Benny Gantz, who according to the latest polls is struggling to pass the electoral threshold if he runs alone. "The best thing is to create a bloc that will make additional mergers," Shimchi concluded. "Gantz is the most realistic option, but things change every day. We will make more mergers, it is already starting to emerge."