Former Israeli Army Chief Challenges Netanyahu in Upcoming Election

Israel's upcoming election on October 27 features a notable challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in retired Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot, a former chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is campaigning with his centrist party, Yashar, which polls indicate holds a narrow lead over Netanyahu's Likud party. To form a government, either party will need to secure a majority of 61 seats in the Knesset.

Eisenkot, 66, brings a distinguished military career to the political arena. Born in Tiberias and raised in Eilat, he served in the infantry, including the elite Golani Brigade, and culminated his military service as IDF chief of staff from 2015 to 2019. Yossi Melman, an Israeli journalist specializing in intelligence and defense, described Eisenkot as "100% a soldier. He is very brave and humble. He is an officer and gentleman."

Melman highlighted Eisenkot's modesty, noting that he once declined an earlier appointment as IDF chief of staff, feeling then-General Benny Gantz should receive it first. Melman characterized Eisenkot as the antithesis of a typical politician, lacking the oratorical skills of Netanyahu but radiating honesty.

Eisenkot's potential premiership would be historic, as he is of Mizrahi heritage (Jews from North Africa and the Middle East), potentially becoming the first Israeli Prime Minister from this background since the state's founding in 1948. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, Eisenkot joined Netanyahu's war cabinet as a minister without portfolio. He later resigned after eight months, citing the prime minister's failure to implement a comprehensive strategy. His son, Master Sergeant Gal Eisenkot, was killed by Hamas in December 2023, along with two nephews.

Danny Orbach, a military historian, noted that Eisenkot bears responsibility for shaping the IDF that was in place on October 7, acknowledging both its successes in operations against Hezbollah and Gaza, and its failures on that day. Orbach suggested that Eisenkot's support is largely derived from being the primary alternative to Netanyahu, rather than a strong policy platform.

Despite potential challenges in confronting the Biden administration on certain issues, Orbach believes an Eisenkot government could address key problems. These include removing controversial figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir from power, confronting violence in the West Bank, and repairing Israel's international standing. Ben-Gvir, the current minister of national security, has drawn criticism for his rhetoric against Palestinians.

Nadav Eyal, an Israeli analyst, called Eisenkot one of Israel's most successful IDF chiefs of staff in the last thirty years, emphasizing the capability of former chiefs of staff to lead the country due to their experience managing the IDF. Eyal credited Eisenkot with successful military planning against Hezbollah, which included the discovery of tunnels built by the group. The formation of a new coalition government is expected to take several days following the election.