Following Israel's critical 26th Knesset elections, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Heading the Yashar (Straight) party, the former military Chief of Staff represents the chief alternative to Netanyahu’s long-standing right-wing coalition in a tightly contested political battlefield.
Who is Gadi Eisenkot?
The 66-year-old former general comes from a Mizrahi-Moroccan background, raised in working-class peripheral towns like Tiberias and Eilat—a stark contrast to Netanyahu’s elite Jerusalem upbringing. Eisenkot served 40 years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), rising from the Golani Brigade in 1978 to become IDF Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019, serving directly under Netanyahu during that period.
Should Eisenkot eventually secure the premiership, he would become the first Mizrahi prime minister in Israeli history, bridging a historic cultural divide between European and Middle Eastern Jewish heritage groups in the country.
"Standing beside Gal's grave, I swore that the price he and his friends paid would not be in vain."
— Gadi Eisenkot, Yashar Party Leader
Personal Tragedy and Political Catalyst
Eisenkot initially entered politics in 2022 alongside Benny Gantz and joined Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet following the October 7, 2023 attacks. However, the conflict brought devastating personal losses to his family. In December 2023, his 25-year-old youngest son, Gal Eisenkot, was killed in combat in Gaza, followed by the deaths of two of his nephews in the war.
The grief served as a primary catalyst for Eisenkot’s renewed political commitment. Citing a lack of clear post-war strategy and accusing Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict for political survival at the expense of hostages, Eisenkot resigned from the war cabinet in June 2024 to lead the opposition front.
Policy Stances and Exit Poll Projections
On domestic issues, Eisenkot advocates for mandatory universal national service, opposing ultra-Orthodox military exemptions. He has also pledged to form an official state commission of inquiry into the October 7 intelligence failures—a move Netanyahu has repeatedly resisted.
On security, Eisenkot maintains a tough posture, supporting military campaigns across Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, while advocating for diplomatic strategy alongside military actions. He has pledged to end Hamas rule in Gaza within 18 months either through negotiated ceasefire frameworks or targeted operations.
Initial exit polls indicate a tightly divided parliament: Netanyahu's right-wing alliance is projected at 52 seats, Eisenkot's opposition front at 49 seats, and the Arab List at 19 seats. With neither major block reaching the 61-seat threshold independently, intense coalition negotiations will determine whether Eisenkot can assemble a governing coalition ahead of the official results announcement on November 4.