End of cooling-off period? Dichter
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Former Shin Bet chief to join Kadima
In first meeting with PM since returning from study leave in U.S., Avi Dichter expected to announce he will run in upcoming elections as part of Sharon's party
Former Shin Bet Chief Avi Dichter is expected to officially announce Tuesday that he is joining Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's party Kadima.
Dichter is set to receive one of the security positions in the government should Kadima win the elections.
Dichter was summoned to a meeting with Sharon on Tuesday afternoon in Jerusalem, their first meeting since Dichter returned from a study leave in the United States last Thursday.
The two are expected to discuss Dichter's future. His post-army cooling-off period will end in February.
Potential candidate for Defense Minister
At this stage, Sharon does not plan on declaring which spot on Kadima's Knesset list will be given to Dichter. It is possible that the former Shin Bet chief will compete for the role of internal security minister.
Kadima officials have said they will look at the possibility of presenting Dichter as a candidate for defense minister.
Meanwhile, Kadima members are preparing to complete the party's Knesset list. The plan is to present a list of about 50 candidates, while according to the latest polls the party is expected to gain 40 Knesset seats.
There are currently 25 candidates in the list approved by Sharon.
