Gadi Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu Ahead of Israel's October 27 Election

Former Israel Defense Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as a leading challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026, election. His centrist Yashar party is projected to win approximately 20 to 23 seats in the 120-member Knesset, according to recent polls reported by CNN and The Jerusalem Post. However, replacing Netanyahu would require Eisenkot to assemble a governing coalition with at least 61 seats.

Founded in September 2025, Yashar has risen rapidly despite Eisenkot's relative inexperience in electoral politics. The party promotes national security, democratic governance, military-service reform and measures to reduce living costs. Its polling position also reflects opposition among voters who want a change in leadership after years of Netanyahu's premiership.

Neither the Netanyahu-aligned bloc nor the opposition is projected to secure a clear parliamentary majority, CNN reported. Even if Yashar finishes ahead of Netanyahu's Likud party, Israel's president must consider which lawmaker has the strongest prospects of forming a government.

Eisenkot, 66, was born in Tiberias to a Moroccan Jewish family and grew up partly in Eilat. He joined the Golani Brigade in 1978 and served as IDF chief of staff from 2015 to 2019. His military background is central to his political identity and provides a contrast with Netanyahu's long experience in government.

Israeli journalist Yossi Melman described Eisenkot's military character and personal conduct in comments to Fox News Digital.

"Is 100% a soldier. He is very brave and humble. He is an officer and gentleman." Melman said.

Melman also recalled that Eisenkot declined an earlier opportunity for promotion when he believed Benny Gantz should receive the appointment. He cited that decision as evidence of Eisenkot's modesty and integrity.

"How many people would do that? He was selected after Gantz. It shows his traits of modesty, honesty and not arrogant." Melman said.

Melman attributed Eisenkot's electoral rise partly to voters seeking an alternative to Netanyahu rather than to his campaign style.

"It is a miracle he is leading in the polls. He is the antithesis of a what a politician should be. He is not a great orator when you compare him to Netanyahu.

He radiates honesty." Melman said.

Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 through Gantz's National Unity alliance. Following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, he joined the emergency government alongside Gantz. Both left in June 2024, arguing that Netanyahu had failed to make the strategic decisions needed to achieve the war's objectives.

His family suffered major losses during the conflict. His youngest son, Gal Eisenkot, 25, was killed fighting in Gaza in December 2023, and two of his nephews also died in combat. In an April 2026 article in Yedioth Ahronoth, Eisenkot connected his political mission to a promise made at his son's grave.

"Over Gal's grave, I swore that the price he paid, he and his friends, those he knew and those he didn't, would not be in vain," Eisenkot wrote.

Military historian Danny Orbach of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said Eisenkot's record included both substantial military achievements and serious institutional failures. He argued that the former chief of staff shared responsibility for the military conditions that preceded the October 7 attack, even as Israeli forces subsequently achieved significant operational results against Hezbollah, Iran and Hamas.

Orbach also questioned whether Eisenkot would demonstrate the same political resolve as Netanyahu in disputes with the United States. Nevertheless, he identified potential changes under an Eisenkot-led government, including addressing extremist violence in the West Bank and rebuilding Israel's international standing.

Yashar's security platform calls for confronting Iran, dismantling Hamas's military capabilities and containing Hezbollah in Lebanon. Eisenkot has opposed establishing a Palestinian state, while indicating that the Palestinian Authority could be preferable to continued Hamas rule under certain circumstances.

On domestic policy, the party opposes blanket exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Eisenkot has proposed penalties for evasion, benefits for those who serve and a limited exemption for 3% of each annual ultra-Orthodox cohort. His position has drawn criticism from opposition figures seeking stricter universal-service requirements.

Yashar also proposes increasing compulsory-service soldiers' pay by 15%, with a 50% increase for combat soldiers in their third year, according to the party's September youth plan. Its economic proposals include reducing barriers to imports, increasing competition in concentrated markets and prioritizing housing assistance and daycare subsidies for working families and people who serve.

The party has coordinated with opposition groups associated with former prime minister Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan. However, the leaders have not finalized how their joint candidate for prime minister would be selected, and disagreements over potential coalition partners remain unresolved.

CNN reported that Eisenkot has proposed a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding October 7 and mandatory military or national service for citizens. These proposals distinguish his campaign from Netanyahu's government, which depends on ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties that oppose some of the proposed changes.

Yashar's electoral prospects therefore depend on both its final seat count and the ability of Eisenkot and his potential partners to agree on a government program. The election for the 26th Knesset is scheduled for October 27, 2026.