Israeli election: Eisenkot challenges Netanyahu for power
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 15:42 · Archive
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party has emerged as a potential challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israel's election.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot leads the centrist Yashar party and has emerged as a potential challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israel's general election held on Tuesday, 29 October 2026. Early exit polls suggested a significant loss for Netanyahu, prompting Eisenkot to declare from a podium in Tel Aviv: "We have made history! Millions of Israelis have had enough of the culture of lies, of failure, of division and incitement."
Eisenkot's Yashar party, along with other opposition allies, has the clearest path to power if they can form a coalition with Arab-led parties, though analysts say this may prove difficult. The 66-year-old was raised by Moroccan-Jewish immigrants and lost his son fighting in the latest war in Gaza. He is described as hawkish, reserved and unpolished, and has commanded some of Israel's most difficult wartime battles.
However, preliminary results from Israel's elections commission on Wednesday showed Netanyahu's party pulling ahead without a clear majority. Eisenkot faces a major challenge in mastering Israel's hardscrabble tradition of coalition building, whilst Netanyahu has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to survive Israeli politics' cutthroat environment.
How it is being reported
- Who is Gadi Eisenkot, the man with the best chance to oust Netanyahu?Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, still has a chance of ousting longtime Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.News4Jax · 28 Oct, 14:58
- Who is Gadi Eisenkot, the man with the best chance to oust Netanyahu?Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, still has a chance of ousting longtime Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Clickorlando · 28 Oct, 14:58
In this story: Gadi Eisenkot · Benjamin Netanyahu · Yashar · Israel · Tel Aviv
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