Could a former IDF chief break Benjamin Netanyahu’s grip on power in Israel?
On The Conversation Weekly, why Israel’s political magician might be out of tricks and how a former IDF chief could be the one to upstage him.
Israel is set to hold elections on October 27, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu potentially facing his most formidable political challenge yet. Allegations have surfaced that he was aware of a significant Hamas plot prior to the October 7 attacks, a claim Netanyahu has vehemently denied. Instead of accepting responsibility, Netanyahu has directed the blame towards the Israeli military, which has left many Israelis feeling betrayed by his lack of personal accountability.
The situation has further escalated with the emergence of Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and founder of the Yashar party. Eisenkot's credibility is bolstered by the tragic loss of his son and two nephews during the Gaza war, a personal tragedy that fuels his call for a government change. As a career military man, Eisenkot is considered politically centrist but not an ideologue.
He has pledged to steer his potential government away from recognizing a Palestinian state, while maintaining support for Israeli settlements in the West Bank and condemning settler violence as terrorism. While Eisenkot's ideologies differ from Netanyahu's, he is characterized as hawkish and on the right. Despite the prospects of a new government, Dov Waxman, an expert in Israel Studies, warns that significant policy changes or shifts in Israel's relations with neighboring nations are unlikely.
The election's outcome will likely result in continued adherence to the status quo, leading to further international isolation and extreme policies if the current government retains power.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
