A report stating that Blue & White party leader Benny Gantz secretly promised Gabi Ashkenazi that the he will inherit the leadership of the party if Gantz has to step down, has many surprised and angered. According to the Yisrael Hayom newspaper report, Gantz made the promise to Ashkenazi to persuade him to enter politics and join his party. According to the report released on Wednesday, Yair Lapid, the party’s number two man, was not made aware of the secret agreement.

Persons involved in the agreement are quoted telling Yisrael Hayom that during the previous election campaign, Gantz was running after Ashkenazi, trying to bring him onboard, making a “gentleman’s agreement” with Ashkenazi that the day he steps down, or is compelled to step down, he will take his place as party leader. The promise was made during the time period when Gantz was conducting negotiations with Lapid about bringing Moshe Ya’alon and his Israel Resilience party into Blue & White.

Today, Lapid is in the second slot and Ashkenazi the fourth slot, and it is Lapid who is set to rotate being prime minister with Gantz if Blue & White establishes the coalition, but Ashkenazi is aware that he received a promise he is Gantz’s successor.

In response to the report, Blue & White states, “It’s an absolute lie”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)