4 shares Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot speaks during a conference in Netanya on March 18, 2019. (Flash90) Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot has decided not to run in the upcoming Knesset elections, Hebrew media reported Wednesday. Eisenkot informed the party leaders with whom he’d been in touch with about joining their ranks of his decision. While Eisenkot is eligible to be elected to the Knesset, he is barred from serving as a minister until 2022, due to legislation requiring a “cooling off” period for former senior officials. The retired general was one of the most sought-after figures this election cycle and his name was linked in reports to several parties, including Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope, Yesh Atid, Telem, New Right and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai’s new party, The Israelis.