The plan of former IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkott is revealed according to a Yediot Achronot news report. It appears he left the IDF early and as a result, gave up receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels, all towards shortening the hiatus period until he may enter politics by one year.

Correspondent Yossi Yehoshua reveals in his report that Eizenkott requested to end his term a year early and as a result, as of April 2019, he will officially be viewed as a private citizen. The report adds the former commander only shared his real plans with a select few high officers in the military.

It is pointed out that Eizenkott has stated on numerous occasions that he has absolutely no intention of entering politics, but he would not be the first IDF chief to make such a statement and then enter the political arena.

According to the report, Eizenkott is planning to become a research fellow in Washington at the Middle East Research Institute, and to move there with his wife Hannah for six months. It should be noted that former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon also attended the same institute. According to army estimates, Eizenkott will lose NIS 200-300,000 as a result of the early retirement.

The IDF Spokesman stated: “At his request, the 21st Chief of Staff, Major-General Gadi Eizenkott, will resign from the IDF on March 31, 2019 and will thereby relinquish his leave vacation.”

That means the months of time, during which he would be vacationing and receiving a salary, will be given up in the name of an earlier release date from the military.

It is only recently that a storm arose due to Tal Russo’s entry into politics; Those who sided with Russo were his comrades in arms and outgoing chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot. Eizenkott released a letter that Russo completed his military service in January 2014. In February 2015, in response to a request from then IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Eizenkott, Russo was appointed to a command post in the reserves.

“In keeping with the agreement between myself and Russo, he will fill a command post in the reserves only, in addition to his civilian business” wrote Eizenkott in his letter…”

The letter continues to explain that he left the IDF and his additional service is strictly in the framework of reserve duty.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)