The man who could defeat Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot’s party is leading many polls. Will he loosen Netanyahu’s grip on power?
Karmiel, Israel — The year is 2026, and the political landscape of Israel is shifting. Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, is making his bid for leadership against incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming parliamentary election on October 27. Eisenkot, who founded his centrist Yashar! party last year, has gained significant traction due to his perceived moral clarity and opposition to Netanyahu's response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza.
The Azaria case, in which a young soldier killed a wounded Palestinian attacker, has become a focal point of Eisenkot's campaign, highlighting his commitment to ethical standards in the military. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is employing the Azaria case to portray Eisenkot as too soft and too left-leaning, a strategy that has yet to resonate with many of Eisenkot's supporters.
The election outcome will shape Israel's future, as the nation grapples with renewed international scrutiny and strained relations with key allies, including the United States and the European Union.
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