[50990] Turmoil in Blue and White: Gantz demanded that departing MKs resign

Political drama: Gantz against the defectors from Blue and White

A political storm erupted today around the future of Knesset members Hili Tropper and Orit Farkash-Hacohen, after they announced their departure from the Blue and White party. According to reports by Amit Segal, the party chairman, Benny Gantz, demanded that the two resign immediately from the Knesset. Gantz clarified that their departure was required under these circumstances, a move that would have allowed his party to maintain election funding according to its original size.

The demand sparked immediate political concern among the opposition. As reported on 'Zirat HaHadashot' and other channels, the departure of Tropper and Farkash-Hacohen would have led to the entry of representatives from Gideon Sa'ar's party into the Knesset, which would have resulted in strengthening the coalition to 69 mandates. On 'Hadashot Bazman' it was noted that such a move would have had direct consequences for sensitive legislation, such as the "Draft Law".

Following the tension, Amit Segal updated that Gantz held a conversation with MK Tropper, after which it was decided that the latter would not resign from the current Knesset. The two agreed that Tropper would remain in his position so as "not to grant an additional vote to the coalition that would help it promote the evasion law and harm IDF soldiers and Israeli society."

MK Tropper emphasized that he does not intend to leave the faction, and that he intends to continue working with it in coordination on various parliamentary issues. The event was also covered extensively by other sources such as Dafna Liel, Michael Shemesh and Ben Caspit, who present a critical position regarding the conduct of the government and the coalition.