Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot Seeks to Unseat Netanyahu, Promises Accountability for Military and Political Failures
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In a rare move, ex-military leader Gadi Eisenkot, now at the helm of the Yashar party, lays out a vision to challenge Netanyahu’s far-right regime, pledging a full investigation into the establishment’s failures on October 7 and vowing to restore democratic values and civilian oversight in Israel’s government.
Former Israeli chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, now leader of the Yashar party, has emerged as a formidable challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose tenure has been marked by increasing authoritarianism and disregard for democratic norms. According to a Channel 12 poll, Yashar is projected to win 23 Knesset seats, surpassing Likud, and Eisenkot narrowly leads Netanyahu in suitability for leadership—a clear sign of public exhaustion with Netanyahu’s divisive politics.
Eisenkot, who led the IDF from 2015 to 2019, identified Iran and its regional allies as threats, but did not shy away from condemning Israel’s own leadership. He called the October 7 Hamas attack a catastrophic failure of both military and political leadership, denouncing the “deep negligence, arrogance, contempt, lack of professionalism” that has come to define the Netanyahu era. Eisenkot’s call for a state commission of inquiry into a decade of government actions signals a break from the culture of impunity that has protected Israel’s ruling elite.
Eisenkot’s campaign is deeply personal—he lost his son Gal and two nephews in the war, a tragedy that fuels his commitment to public service and to preventing further needless loss of life.
On coalition building, Eisenkot took a cautious approach, refusing to partner with Arab parties that do not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization, a stance that reflects the persistent marginalization of Palestinian voices in Israeli politics. He insisted that any government must uphold Israel as a Jewish-democratic state and adhere to the Declaration of Independence’s values, but his coalition vision remains rooted in the political center and right, with partners like Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Golan.
Eisenkot criticized the current administration of the West Bank, promising to return civil authority to military coordination and to crack down on settler violence—an implicit rebuke of the unchecked expansionism and lawlessness fostered by Netanyahu’s allies. He also questioned the appointments of Mossad chief Roman Gofman and Shin Bet director David Zini, calling them “very good commanders” but “incorrect appointments,” highlighting the cronyism that has plagued Israeli security institutions.
Rejecting the rotation-prime-minister model, Eisenkot demanded a full four-year term for a single leader, distancing himself from the unstable power-sharing deals that have characterized recent governments. He contrasted his approach with that of Benny Gantz, emphasizing a personal sense of mission rooted in his family’s sacrifice.
On foreign policy, Eisenkot reiterated the threat of Iran’s nuclear program but also stressed the importance of strengthening ties with the U.S., acknowledging the critical role of international support. He called for a realistic draft plan for ultra-Orthodox Jews, advocating for limited exemptions and universal state schooling with funding tied to attendance—a challenge to the entrenched privileges of religious parties.
"Unequivocally, there was no betrayal... I know the people [and the system]. There is no chance that someone betrayed," Eisenkot said, pushing back against conspiracy theories that distract from real accountability.
"I see as a partner anyone who accepts Israel as a Jewish democratic state, the values of the Declaration of Independence, and the obligation of service," he added, though his coalition criteria still exclude significant segments of the population.
The interview underscored Eisenkot’s focus on security, accountability for October 7, and a coalition built on shared national principles—while leaving open questions about true inclusivity and the future of Israeli democracy.