Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz said after the announcement of Chili Tropper's departure that "he is first and foremost a partner in the journey. He was the first person I recruited and helped build the party, he was with me at every decision-making point. After a long period of personal dilemmas, he made a painful decision. I wish Chili only the best because he is a man of values and worthy, and his heart is in the right place. I thank him for our shared journey. I say honestly, this is a painful day for me - but I have armor called the State of Israel. The State of Israel needs a broad Zionist unity government. Any government that depends on the Arab parties or on Ben Gvir will be a disaster for the State of Israel and will bring upon us a civil war."