Gadi Eisenkot Emerges as Major Rival to Netanyahu Ahead of Israeli Elections

Gadi Eisenkot [Photo: Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Yonhap News]

Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces who lost his son in the Gaza war, has emerged as a leading challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Support for Eisenkot's centrist party, Yashar, has surged ahead of the Israeli elections expected by the end of October.
The Wall Street Journal reported on July 5 that "Eisenkot's rise is shaking Netanyahu's path to re-election."
Polls from Israel's public broadcaster indicate that both Yashar and Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party are projected to secure 23 seats each in the 120-member Knesset. In surveys regarding who would be a better prime minister, Eisenkot received 41% support compared to Netanyahu's 40%, indicating a tight race.
This election will be the first national vote since Hamas's surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, which led to subsequent military conflicts involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Netanyahu, who has been in power for nearly 19 years, faces increasing political pressure due to the prolonged war, hostage situations, and deteriorating evaluations of the conflict with Iran.
Eisenkot joined Netanyahu's wartime cabinet following the Hamas attack but resigned after eight months, criticizing Netanyahu for prolonging military operations and endangering the lives of hostages.
Eisenkot's youngest son, Gal, was killed early in the Gaza war, and two of his nephews also died during the conflict. This personal experience sets him apart from Netanyahu, giving him a distinct image as a former military leader who has directly faced the consequences of war.
However, Eisenkot is not classified as a moderate peacemaker. He is considered one of the architects of the "Dahiya Doctrine," a military strategy employed during the 2006 Lebanon War that involves using overwhelming force in urban areas to deter armed groups.
Netanyahu's most significant vulnerability is the perception of security failures. A survey conducted by the Institute for National Security Studies in June revealed that 92% of Israelis believe Iran has either won or benefited from the recent conflict. This finding poses a challenge for Netanyahu, who has long relied on security leadership as a key political asset.
International relations also present a challenge. Israel's plans to establish buffer zones along its borders with Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon have increased tensions with Western allies. Former President Donald Trump has also shown less consistent support for Netanyahu compared to the past.
Israel operates under a multi-party system, making it difficult for any single party to achieve a majority. To form a government, at least 61 seats are needed out of the total 120. Even if Likud secures 23 seats, Netanyahu could remain in power if he collaborates with right-wing and religious parties to reach the majority. Conversely, if opposition parties like Eisenkot's Yashar gain a similar number of seats but fail to collectively reach 61, they will struggle to form a government.
Netanyahu is exploiting this situation, arguing that Eisenkot and other opposition leaders would need cooperation from Arab parties to achieve a majority. If the opposition fails to establish a stable coalition, Netanyahu could remain as the head of a caretaker government while awaiting a new election.

* This article has been translated by AI.