Eisenkot offers Gantz NSC post in exchange for withdrawal

Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity party, is facing mounting pressure to withdraw from the election race, with two separate offers now on the table aimed at preventing what some in the center-left bloc fear could be a critical loss of votes.

According to a report by political correspondent Nadav Elimelech on i24NEWS, Gadi Eisenkot's camp is considering offering Gantz the position of head of the National Security Council (known in Hebrew as the Malal) in exchange for his withdrawal from the race.

The proposal is intended to provide Gantz with a prestigious and strategic exit from politics, against the backdrop of recent polls showing his party weakening and hovering near the electoral threshold. However, various reports indicate that Gantz is leaning toward staying in the race at this stage and is not interested in accepting positions as part of a withdrawal agreement.

The National Security Council offer comes alongside another report this evening from political correspondent Shachar Glick, according to which Gantz has received surprising overtures from the opposite side of the political map as well.

According to that report, based on three separate sources, Likud has been conducting exploratory talks with Gantz about a possible alliance, and offered to appoint him as a minister immediately in the current government. The move was intended to demonstrate good faith and to bolster the campaign message of a "national unity government," with the theoretical possibility of giving him the Defense Ministry portfolio floated as well. Gantz rejected those offers outright, and Likud denied the report, stating in response that "Benny Gantz did not receive an offer for a ministerial position."