Former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has turned to former Shin Bet Director Yoram Cohen, offering him to run together in the next Knesset elections, News 10 reported. It appears that Gantz has decided to enter the political arena for the next elections, but it remains to be seen in which platform, possibly joining an existing party or launching his own.

Cohen has since told the press he turned down the offer, explaining “I am not a political person at all and have no political aspirations”.

Cohen is in the middle of a three-year cooling-off period, which is supposed to end in about 10 months.

This cooling-off period was implemented to prevent senior IDF officers and other members of the security/intelligence establishments from laterally moving from their posts into Knesset. After retiring from the IDF or their respective agency, they may not enter politics for a three-year period.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)