Eisenkot's Moroccan heritage targets Likud stronghold before Israeli election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 01:31 · Archive

Gadi Eisenkot, a moderate challenger to Netanyahu, is campaigning on his Moroccan roots in traditionally right-wing Israeli cities ahead of Tuesday's election.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, is running as a moderate challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's first national election since the October 7 attacks. He held his final campaign rally on Sunday, declaring 'Netanyahu must go home'. Eisenkot's liberal Yashar party is targeting traditionally right-wing areas, particularly Sderot in the Negev desert, about 75 kilometres south of Tel Aviv and one kilometre from the Gaza border.

Sderot has a large Moroccan Jewish community and has become symbolic of Moroccan-Jewish culture in Israel. The city is a historic stronghold of Netanyahu's Likud party, which received more than 40 per cent of votes there in 2022, compared with 23 per cent nationwide. Eisenkot's campaign slogan in Sderot, 'Rosh Memshala Dialna', combines the Hebrew term for prime minister with words meaning 'of our own' in Moroccan Arabic, directly appealing to the Moroccan-Jewish vote.

The targeting reflects deeper historical divisions in Israel between Ashkenazi Jews of European origin and Mizrahi Jews from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds. Mizrahi Jews, who comprise roughly half of Israel's Jewish population, have historically faced discrimination and neglect since the early days of the Israeli state. This inequality continues to shape Israel's economic, social and political landscape.

How it is being reported

• Netanyahu rival Eisenkot holds final rally before Israeli electionGadi Eisenkot, Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival in Israel’s upcoming election, held his final campaign rally on Sunday.Al Jazeera · 26 Oct, 01:02
• With identity, history and October 7 reshaping political loyalties in Israel, can Gadi Eisenkot's Moroccan roots crack Likud strongholds?As Israel prepares to vote, Gadi Eisenkot is leveraging his Moroccan heritage in Likud strongholds such as Sderot. From historical divides to October 7, identity and trauma are redefining the city's political loyalties.DW News · 25 Oct, 09:27

In this story: Gadi Eisenkot · Benjamin Netanyahu · Yashar · Likud · Sderot · Israel · Gaza

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