Gadi Eisenkot Emerges as Netanyahu’s Main Rival in Bid to Form Israel’s Next Government

 Gadi Eisenkot Emerges as Netanyahu’s Main Rival in Bid to Form Israel’s Next Government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with trying to form the country’s next government following elections that left political parties without a clear parliamentary majority.

Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party and previously served as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition. He may receive an additional 14 days if necessary.

If he fails, Herzog could give another political leader, potentially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an opportunity to form a government. Failure by both sides could lead to another election.

The political development has placed Eisenkot at the centre of Israel’s struggle over its next leadership and raised questions about whether a government led by him would bring meaningful changes to the country’s policies.

A Difficult Coalition-Building Challenge

Although Eisenkot has emerged as a leading challenger to Netanyahu, securing enough parliamentary support to govern will be difficult.

He may need backing from at least one ultra-Orthodox political party, despite the groups’ traditional links with Netanyahu. Such support could depend on maintaining arrangements that allow some ultra-Orthodox men to avoid compulsory military service.

Arab political parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel could also become important to the coalition negotiations.

These parties are expected to seek stronger action against violent crime affecting Palestinian communities inside Israel and measures to address attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

However, Aida Touma-Sliman, a lawmaker from the Hadash party and a member of the Joint List, has questioned whether Eisenkot is genuinely prepared to depend on Arab political support.

She suggested that he appeared more willing to reach agreements with ultra-Orthodox parties than risk being seen as relying on Arab lawmakers.

Israel’s International Reputation Faces Pressure

Another major challenge awaiting Israel’s next government will be repairing the country’s international standing, particularly its relationship with the United States.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the wider conflict involving the United States and Iran have generated significant criticism of the Israeli government.

The political pressure has also reached Washington. According to the report, US President Donald Trump announced an end to an annual $3.8 billion military aid package for Israel shortly before the American midterm elections.

Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Aaron David Miller said Israel faces a difficult public-relations environment in the United States.

He argued that many Americans have been viewing the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza together, shaping increasingly negative perceptions of the country.

Eisenkot could therefore face a major challenge in rebuilding confidence in Israel among American voters and political leaders.

Why Eisenkot Is Seen as Netanyahu’s Alternative

Eisenkot’s political appeal partly comes from the contrast between his public image and Netanyahu’s leadership style.

Born in Tiberias to parents from Morocco, Eisenkot grew up in Eilat and joined the Israeli military at the age of 18. He eventually rose to become the IDF’s chief of staff before entering politics.

He later served in the national unity government formed after the October 7 attacks.

His family also suffered personal losses during the Gaza war. His son Gal was killed in Jabalia in December 2023, followed by the deaths of his nephew Maor and, in November 2024, another nephew, Yogev Pazy.

Some political observers believe his military background and personal experiences have helped him present himself as a steady alternative to Netanyahu.

However, his record remains controversial, particularly among Palestinians.

Questions Over His Military Record

Despite being presented by some Israelis as an alternative to Netanyahu, Eisenkot has a significant military record that raises questions about how much change Palestinians could expect under his leadership.

He is associated with the Dahiyeh Doctrine, a military approach linked to the use of overwhelming force and extensive destruction against communities viewed as supporting armed opposition to Israel.

During his time as military chief of staff, Israeli forces conducted operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, while Israel also carried out strikes against targets in Iran and supported armed groups in Syria.

United Nations figures cited in the original report recorded approximately 650 Palestinian deaths in incidents involving Israeli forces between 2015 and 2018.

A UN commission subsequently found reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli forces under his command had committed serious violations of international law, some of which could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Eisenkot has therefore become a complicated political figure: an alternative to Netanyahu for some Israeli voters, but someone whose military record remains a source of concern for Palestinians.

Can He Deliver a Different Israel?

Eisenkot’s attempt to form a government comes at a critical moment for Israeli politics.

He must overcome divisions within the opposition, negotiate with parties whose demands may conflict, and address growing international criticism of Israel.

Even if he succeeds in replacing Netanyahu, it remains uncertain whether his government would significantly change Israel’s approach towards Palestinians and neighbouring countries.

For now, the central question is whether Eisenkot can build a stable coalition and whether his leadership would represent a genuine political shift or simply a different style of government.

Lamielsidenews.com.ng will continue to follow developments in Israel’s political negotiations and their possible implications for the Middle East.

Sources:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/8/the-anti-netanyahu-can-gadi-eisenkot-give-the-world-a-different-israel