Gadi Eisenkot
Gadi Eisenkot, also spelt Eizenkot, is an Israeli general, politician and leader of the Yashar party. He served from 2015 to 2019 as the 21st chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces and from 2023 to 2024 as a minister without portfolio in Israel's unity government. Eisenkot, who grew up in Eilat, pursued maritime studies and later served in the IDF's Golani Brigade. He holds a B.A. in history from Tel Aviv University and a post-graduate degree in political science from Haifa University. Married with five children, he resides in Herzliya. One of his sons, Gal, was killed in action during the Gaza war.
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Jul 23, 2026
Center
Likud released a campaign video attacking him, using his personal bereavement to score political points, as detailed in Raanan Shaked's op-ed.
Yesh Atid condemns the attack as a new low and defends Eisenkot as a respected security figure whose service is beyond reproach.
Jul 19, 2026
Lean Right
Eisenkot, a former military chief, could become Israel's first Mizrachi prime minister and potentially dial down anti-Zionism in the West.
Conservatives view his potential leadership as a positive step for Israeli security and for countering progressive anti-Israel narratives.
Jul 18, 2026
Far Right
His Yashar party is tied with Likud at 22 seats in the new poll, making him a key challenger.
Religious Zionism sees Eisenkot as a security-focused rival who could split the nationalist vote, diluting right-wing strength.
Jul 17, 2026
Far Right
Former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot was accused by Yoseph Haddad of making a racist comparison to Mansour Abbas.
Religious Zionism may critique Eisenkot for drawing a false equivalence, potentially undermining security cooperation with Arab citizens.
Jul 13, 2026
Center
Eisenkot, head of the National Unity party, has been signaling openness to cooperation with Shas, as the Haredi parties grow disillusioned with Netanyahu.
Yesh Atid views Eisenkot as a potential partner for a centrist bloc to replace Netanyahu, but remains wary of his alliance with Haredi parties on security issues.
Jul 10, 2026
Lean Left
Eisenkot, a National Unity minister, clashes with Netanyahu over war strategy and hostage deal negotiations.
He is respected by Labor/Meretz for his military expertise but seen as too aligned with the center-right, lacking a clear progressive agenda.
Jul 10, 2026
Far Left
Eisenkot, a former IDF chief and now opposition MK, has openly questioned the army's readiness and war goals.
Hadash respects Eisenkot's military expertise but remains wary of his centrist political line.
Jul 6, 2026
Far Right
Eisenkot is building a 100-day transition team with the appointment of former Netanyahu aide Yoav Horowitz.
Eisenkot's team is seen as a potential moderate alternative, but religious Zionists remain skeptical of his center-right platform and prefer a stronger right-wing government.
Jun 27, 2026
Center
The former Israeli defence chief is emerging as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of parliamentary elections.
Pragmatists follow this as a potential shift in Israeli policy direction that could affect Middle Eastern stability and China's strategic interests in the region.
Jun 13, 2026
Center
He is presented as a strong, credible opponent to Benjamin Netanyahu in a hypothetical television debate, embodying a 'new politician' capable of winning.
Yesh Atid would see Eisenkot, a figure from the National Unity party, as a significant, responsible voice in the opposition who represents a viable, pragmatic alternative to the current Likud leadership.