JERUSALEM, Oct 23 – Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is emerging as a prominent challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the upcoming election on October 27. Eisenkot, who has gained a reputation as a straight-talking security hawk, offers a contrasting alternative amid a politically fractured landscape.
The election marks the first since Hamas initiated its attacks on Israel three years ago, and Eisenkot’s background and messaging resonate with voters who may seek a change in leadership. While he distances himself from Netanyahu’s far-right allies, Eisenkot maintains a hawkish stance on security issues, opposing Palestinian statehood and advocating for the dismantling of Hamas’ military wing.
Current opinion polls suggest that Eisenkot’s newly founded Yashar party is leading Netanyahu’s Likud party, although neither party is assured of forming the next government due to Israel’s complex political dynamics.
Eisenkot underlines his security credentials during his campaign, highlighting his “Dahiyeh doctrine,” which dictates a disproportionate force response to attacks, a strategy he employed effectively during the 2006 war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. His approach stands in stark contrast to Netanyahu’s flamboyant political style, especially as Netanyahu faces a corruption trial and ongoing criticism over security failures related to the recent Hamas attacks.
In recent years, Eisenkot has faced personal tragedy; he lost a son and two nephews in conflicts in Gaza. This background has seemingly contributed to his relatable public persona, with Eitan Shamir, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, describing him as a candidate who resonates with the electorate as a “not a politician, an everyday person.”
Alongside his commitment to combating Hamas, Eisenkot asserts that preventing Iran from acquiring military nuclear capability must be a priority for Israel. He supports Jewish settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while emphasizing that such actions need to serve Israel’s national interests and be legally sanctioned.
Eisenkot has also condemned the recent surge in settler violence against Palestinians, positioning himself against the extreme elements of Netanyahu’s coalition, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom have faced international sanctions for their statements and actions.
As a son of Moroccan immigrants, Eisenkot would become Israel’s first prime minister from the Mizrahi community, a group historically marginalized in the early years of the state. Throughout his 41 years of service in the Israel Defense Forces, he has held significant command roles, including chief of staff from 2015 to 2019.
After joining Netanyahu’s war cabinet following the October 7 attacks, Eisenkot remained critical of the prime minister’s tactics and resigned after eight months. He has called for the elimination of Hamas’ military capability, reiterating the urgency of this mission in recent interviews.
Eisenkot rejects the notion of Palestinian statehood, arguing that “two states for two peoples is a mistake.” He insists that Israel must maintain security dominance between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, emphasizing the need for no foreign military presence in the region.
While he advocates for Jewish settlements, Eisenkot opposes specific building projects that could hinder future peace negotiations. He has indicated reluctance to partner with Arab Israeli parties in government, complicating his path to building a governing coalition, should Yashar succeed in the elections.
As the campaign progresses, Eisenkot expressed his intention to forge partnerships with other Zionist parties to establish a broad coalition and achieve a national consensus for Israel’s future.
