6 Things About Gadi Eisenkot, Natenyau`s Challenger
Dr. Alfred Makotsi
PhD, (IR & Diplomacy)
Benjamin Netanyahu now faces stiff competition from former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party, with polls placing Yashar at 23-25 Knesset seats compared with Likud's 21-23. While this signals possible trouble for Netanyahu, Eisenkot's positions on Palestine, settlements and security show that his rise may not necessarily mean a moderate shift in Israeli politics.
Opposition to Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution. Gadi Eisenkot rejects the conventional two-state formula, arguing that immediate advocates misunderstand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although he presents himself as an alternative to Netanyahu, his Palestinian policy remains restrictive, security-centred, and closer to Israel's centre-right position.
Strong support for Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Eisenkot has expressed support for continued Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, which he calls Judea and Samaria. In 2026, he said he strongly believes in settlement there and visited settlement communities and outposts. His position suggests that an Eisenkot-led government would not necessarily reverse settlement expansion.
Preference for separation while maintaining Israeli security control. Rather than prioritising Palestinian sovereignty, Eisenkot favours greater separation between Israelis and Palestinians while maintaining Israeli security control and preserving a Jewish demographic majority. Critics argue that this would perpetuate unequal control without resolving the political conflict.
Association with the "Dahiya Doctrine." Eisenkot is closely associated with the "Dahiya Doctrine," developed during his command of Israel's Northern Command. The doctrine favours overwhelming force against areas used by hostile armed groups to create deterrence. His 2008 comments on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon were controversial because critics warned of disproportionate civilian harm. In 2026, he reportedly renewed support for applying it against Hezbollah.
Participation in Netanyahu's wartime government. After the October 7, 2023 attacks, Eisenkot joined Netanyahu's emergency government as a minister without portfolio and served in the war cabinet with Benny Gantz. National Unity later withdrew in June 2024 over Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza war and lack of a post-war strategy. Thus, while later challenging Netanyahu, Eisenkot shaped wartime decisions.
Chief of Staff during the 2018 Gaza protests. Eisenkot was IDF Chief of Staff during the 2018 Great March of Return protests in Gaza, when Israeli forces killed Palestinian demonstrators and wounded thousands. A UN commission later found reasonable grounds to believe some Israeli actions may have violated international law.
Eisenkot's rise suggests Israeli politics may be shifting beyond Netanyahu personally, but not necessarily toward moderation on Palestinians, settlements, security control, or the use of military force.
Alfred Makotsi, PhD, (IR & Diplomacy) Mandela Washington Fellow 2025 IGAD Leadership Academy Fellow 2025 PLGP - FES Kenya Fellow 2017
