In Israel Vote, Ex-Army Chief Emerges Main Rival to Netanyahu
A Channel 12 poll found Yashar ahead of Likud, with 43% of respondents calling Eisenkot the best candidate for prime minister.
- Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of an October election. A recent Channel 12 poll projects Eisenkot's new party, Yashar, to win 23 seats in the 120-member Knesset, ahead of Netanyahu's Likud with 22.
- Eisenkot, the son of Moroccan immigrants who grew up on Israel's periphery, represents a 'different generation' of leadership. Analyst Tal Elovits noted the candidate's understated style appeals to the middle class, with supporters viewing him as "responsible, boring" and thus a viable alternative.
- Eisenkot's campaign centers on a "universal national service law" extending compulsory service to Haredi men and Arab citizens. He has pledged to protect judicial independence and strengthen Israel's military, repeatedly attacking Netanyahu's agreement exempting many Orthodox Jews from service.
- Political science professor Gayil Talshir of the Hebrew University said disillusioned right-wing voters view past coalitions involving Bennett as a "betrayal," making Eisenkot a "reasonable house" for them. Liberal centrists increasingly view him as the opposition candidate with the strongest chance of unseating Netanyahu.
- Analyst Abu Rass noted a strong national consensus has persisted since Oct 7, though political taboos remain against coalition-building with Arab partners. Netanyahu maintains power through populism, often framing opposition as "Left-wing" or conceding to Palestinians, despite majority voter desire for change.
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13 Articles
Why Israel Keeps Voting and Nothing Changes
Hosted by Kwangu Liwewe AgyeiFeaturing Rida Abu Rass and Dahlia ScheindlinProduced by Finbar Anderson Listen to and follow The LedeApple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | Podbean To say that a divide exists in Israeli politics today is an understatement, political scientist Dahlia Scheindlin tells Kwangu Liwewe Agyei on this month’s episode of Global Insights on The Lede. With a pivotal parliamentary election upcoming in October, the supporters of …
Times of Malta
Free Malaysia Today NewsEx-army chief emerges as main rival to Netanyahu
As Israel heads into a fiercely contested general election on October 27, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Eisenkot's rise comes at a pivotal moment in Israeli politics, with the election widely viewed as a referendum on the long-serving premier's leadership in the violent aftermath of...
Channel News Asia
In Israel vote, ex-army chief emerges main rival to Netanyahu
JERUSALEM: As Israel heads into a fiercely contested general election on Oct 27, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Eisenkot's rise comes at a pivotal moment in Israeli politics, with the election widely viewed as a referendum on th
Israeli ex-army chief emerges as main rival to Netanyahu ahead of general election
As Israel heads into a fiercely contested general election on October 27, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot’s rise comes at a pivotal moment in Israeli politics, with the election widely viewed as a referendum on the long-serving premier’s leadership in the violent aftermath of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. A recent Channel 12 poll put Eisenkot’…
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