Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi is leaving Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz's Blue and White party, he announced Wednesday afternoon.
"I have decided not to continue with Blue and White and I am taking some time to consider what to do next. I thank Benny for his partnership and wish him success. I will continue to serve in my role as long as I am needed," Ashkenazi wrote.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
However, Ashkenazi is expected to remain in his post as foreign minister, at least until the next government is formed.
Ashkenazi had already informed Gantz that he was planning on leaving the party.
As of Wednesday, the prevailing belief was that Ashkenazi would leave politics entirely, although some thought there was still a chance he might join a different party.
In his notification, Ashkenazi wrote, "Blue and White presented an alternative to Benjamin Netanyahu and we decided to exert influence from inside [the government], out of a sense of national responsibility. That is how I operated my entire life, and how I will continue to act. Any place there was a danger to the country or to me – I opted to take on the risk. Changing the conversation from annexing territories is what opened the window of opportunity for the peace agreements, and together we prevented any attempt at political or legal adventures."
Gantz said in response to Ashkenazi's message: "I respect my friend Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi's decision and thank him from the depths of my heart for his partnership these past two years, for the sake of the country.
"Gabi and I have known each other for years and I appreciate him highly. Gabi restored the Foreign Ministry to its natural place as a leading, influential ministry after years in which it was neglected, and did a great deal to stop the annexation plan and promote normalization in the region, and I'm sure he will continue to contribute a great deal to Israeli life," Gantz said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
