Posted on 12/30/20
| News Source: Israel Hayom
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi is leaving Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz's Blue and White party, he announced Wednesday afternoon.
"I have decided not to continue with Blue and White and I am taking some time to consider what to do next. I thank Benny for his partnership and wish him success. I will continue to serve in my role as long as I am needed," Ashkenazi wrote.
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However, Ashkenazi is expected to remain in his post as foreign minister, at least until the next government is formed.
Ashkenazi had already informed Gantz that he was planning on leaving the party.
As of Wednesday, the prevailing belief was that Ashkenazi would leave politics entirely, although some thought there was still a chance he might join a different party.
In his notification, Ashkenazi wrote, "Blue and White presented an alternative to Benjamin Netanyahu and we decided to exert influence from inside [the government], out of a sense of national responsibility. That is how I operated my entire life, and how I will continue to act. Any place there was a danger to the country or to me – I opted to take on the risk. Changing the conversation from annexing territories is what opened the window of opportunity for the peace agreements, and together we prevented any attempt at political or legal adventures." Read more at Israel Hayom