Head of the Kulanu party Moshe Kahlon announced another member of his team, retired IDF Major-General Yoav Gallant. The polls show that the new party headed by Kahlon, a former Likud minister, is likely to receive 10 seats in the elections.

After announcing former Israeli Ambassador to Washington Dr. Michael Oren and anti-poverty activist Eli Elaluff are joining the lineup, Kahlon released the name of Yoav Gallant, a former IDF major-general. Gallant will be in the fifth spot on the lineup. The 56-year-old former senior commander last served in the IDF as Southern District Commander, stepping down from the IDF in October 2010 after Gabi Ashkenazi was appointed the IDF’s 20th Chief of Staff.

According to reports, former Mossad Intelligence Agency Director Meir Dagan, who was in the midst of talks with Kahlon, decided not to join due to personal reasons.

The names announced to date show a party led by an experienced cabinet minister and includes one member with high-level diplomatic experience, with a highlight on Israel/US relations, as well as a member capable of addressing any and all security/defense matters.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)