In the lead-up to Israel's general election on October 27, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has positioned himself as the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This election is seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership following the violent aftermath of Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
A recent poll by Channel 12 indicates that Eisenkot's new party, Yashar, is gaining traction, projecting 23 seats compared to Likud's 22 in the 120-member Knesset. The survey also revealed that 43 percent of respondents consider Eisenkot the most suitable candidate for prime minister, versus 34 percent for Netanyahu.
Eisenkot, who served as Chief of Staff of the Israeli military from 2015 to 2019, has built his campaign around a 10-point platform aimed at restoring Israel's security, unity, and democratic institutions. Central to his manifesto is the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into Hamas's 2023 attack, which triggered the Gaza war and expanded into a broader regional conflict.
Eisenkot has also promised a "new long-term national security doctrine" that includes a "universal national service law" extending compulsory service to ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arab citizens. He pledges to protect judicial independence, the rule of law, minority rights, and a free press.
Although his position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains less defined, Eisenkot's call for universal military service has become a defining issue, putting him at odds with Netanyahu's alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties. His understated style and background as the son of Moroccan immigrants offer a stark contrast to Netanyahu's elite origins.