Netanyahu in 'panic' over possibility of Eisenkot becoming prime minister, former aide says

Former Netanyahu adviser Nir Hefetz revealed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is experiencing extreme anxiety over the prospect of Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot becoming the next prime minister. Hefetz described the atmosphere in the Prime Minister's Office as one of constant panic, with urgent phone calls from Netanyahu's wife and son being a frequent occurrence during times of political instability.

He also noted that Netanyahu's behavior when his personal standing is at risk is a typical pattern in his decision-making. Hefetz suggested that the transition to opposition for Netanyahu and his family would be particularly difficult, as he derives a significant portion of his respect from his relationship with world leaders. He questioned the implications of a potential shift in power, such as whether Netanyahu would sit on the opposition benches or witness Eisenkot's rise in status.

Hefetz argued that Netanyahu may become more willing to make concessions as Eisenkot advances in his coalition-building efforts. He suggested that Netanyahu's main objective may be to prevent the dismantling of his alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties, as neither bloc can form a majority without their support. Hefetz also noted that negotiations with Eisenkot could serve Netanyahu's interests by slowing the process of forming an alternative government.

The former aide compared Eisenkot to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, stating that while both have challenging political personalities, Eisenkot is less susceptible to Netanyahu's influence and is not easily intimidated.