Gadi Eizenkot launched his campaign to replace Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's legislative elections. Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eizenkot, whose parents emigrated from Morocco to Israel, has officially launched his campaign to become Israel’s next prime minister, positioning himself as a challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the country’s legislative elections.
The 66-year-old kicked off his campaign on Tuesday evening in Neve Yarak, four months before the scheduled vote, calling for a change in leadership and promising what he described as a new chapter for Israel.
Addressing supporters, Eizenkot said Israel deserved “to open a new chapter” and pledged to replace what he called “the October 7 government”, referring to Netanyahu’s administration, which was in office during the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
He argued that Israel needs “a Zionist, honest and dignified leadership” capable of offering citizens a different future while ensuring the country’s security. He also accused the current leadership of lacking vision and strategy, saying it was steering Israel toward “a loss of bearings”.
Polls Put Eizenkot Close Behind Likud
A poll published Monday evening by Israel’s Channel 12 gave Yashar, the party founded by Eizenkot in September 2025, 22 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Netanyahu’s Likud party was projected to win 24 seats, placing Eizenkot’s new movement just behind the ruling party.
The party’s name, Yashar, means “Straight” or “Upright” in Hebrew.
The former general enjoys broad public sympathy, shaped in part by personal tragedy. His son, Gal, was killed during the war in Gaza, as were two of his nephews. His calm and measured public style has also distinguished him from many of Israel’s more outspoken political figures.
A Former Army Chief With Limited Political Experience
A vocal critic of both the conduct of the war and Netanyahu’s policies, Eizenkot entered politics in 2022 alongside centrist Benny Gantz, who had preceded him as chief of staff of the Israeli army.
He previously served as military attaché to former prime ministers Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon. Following the Hamas attack, Eizenkot joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet in October 2023 but resigned in June 2024.
The former army chief has remained deliberately vague on how he would approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the launch of his campaign, he said his goal was to open “a much better” chapter in Israel’s history, adding that “Israel must prevail — and it will”.
- Source: AFP