Gantz's warning to Eisenkot: Bennett and Liberman will demand the premiership

Benny Gantz warned Gadi Eisenkot that Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman will demand the premiership even if their parties are not the largest in the bloc. The remarks came amid rising tension in the change bloc, a new campaign by Eisenkot, and a storm over Bennett's comments that he does not rule out Netanyahu serving as a minister in his government.

Two weeks before the election, Benny Gantz, chairman of Blue and White, warned Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yashar!, against a joint move by Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman in which the two would demand the premiership even if they do not lead in the number of seats. Gantz said at the Yedioth Ahronoth conference that Bennett and Liberman would not settle for an electoral achievement if they cannot head the government. Bennett categorically denied holding contacts or coordination with Liberman on the matter. Liberman responded with a jab: "We do not judge a person in distress." The remarks come against the backdrop of growing tension in the change bloc, after Eisenkot decided to change strategy and set a new goal: to be the largest party. At the same time, Bennett's comments that he does not rule out the possibility that Netanyahu will serve as a minister in his government sparked sharp reactions. Bennett clarified that he does not intend to sit with Netanyahu, and that the statement was meant to illustrate absurdity. Eisenkot and Liberman opposed the possibility of Netanyahu serving as a minister. Yair Golan joined the opponents.