National Unity’s Eisenkot officially resigns from Knesset

Two days after announcing his intention to step down, National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot submits his letter of resignation to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. The former IDF chief is expected to be replaced by Eitan Ginsburg.

Eisenkot posts a copy of the one-sentence letter online, with a handwritten addition that reads: “It was a great privilege to serve the people. I will act with faith and determination to create a leadership alternative that is fitting for the State of Israel.”

Asked by The Times of Israel Tuesday if he intended to establish his own political party, Eisenkot hedged, merely stating that “the goal is to replace this bad government and establish a Zionist, patriotic, statesmanlike, democratic alternative” and that he “will do whatever it takes to achieve the goal.”

Speaking with national broadcaster Kan, Blue and White lawmaker Chili Tropper says Eisenkot’s push to unite the current opposition in an effort to “present a governing alternative” is unrealistic.

“I would have liked him to stay, but I respect his choice,” says Tropper. “He thinks there should be a political union from Yair Golan through Yair Lapid and up to Naftali Bennett – this is not feasible and not correct politically.”

Tropper expresses his objection to the idea of creating a bloc that is “only concerned with… defeating the other side,” arguing that managing a postwar Israel will require “a broad, Zionist, patriotic government of consensus.”