Gadi Eisenkot
Israel
Yashar
Knesset member
government
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.
Standing...
Stories...
Aug 6, 2026
Center
Eisenkot, heading the leading bloc in polls, refused to back Bennett's Qatar declaration and dodged whether Yair Golan would be defense minister.
His cautious, security-first stance matches Yesh Atid's preference for serious statecraft over campaign theatrics, though his bloc's rise threatens Lapid's path to power.
Aug 6, 2026
Lean Left
Eisenkot, a rival to Netanyahu, promised to create a state inquiry into the October 7 events at his first post-election cabinet meeting.
Moderates worry that any Israeli leadership change will bring accountability politics that could harden or unpredictably shift military policy toward Iran.
Jul 30, 2026
Far Right
He was attacked by Ben Gvir for delaying the elimination of Hezbollah's secretary-general.
Religious Zionists criticize Eisenkot for lacking resolve and for a hesitant approach that they believe endangers Israel against Hezbollah.
Jul 30, 2026
Center
Targeted by Netanyahu's mocking video that appeared to exploit his son's death, and is a key figure in National Unity party.
Yesh Atid respects Eisenkot as a former IDF chief and condemns Netanyahu's disrespectful behavior, seeing it as a low point in political discourse.
Jul 28, 2026
Center
Former Israeli military chief emerging as principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October 27 general election.
Pragmatists see his candidacy as a potential shift in Israeli politics, focusing on security and governance rather than Netanyahu's legal troubles.
Jul 28, 2026
Center
Eisenkot warned of a loss of control in the West Bank and said the IDF may need to shift forces from Gaza and Lebanon.
Yesh Atid respects Eisenkot's security warnings and sees them as proof that the government's settlement policy is dangerous.
Jul 28, 2026
Center
Former Israeli army chief emerges as main challenger to Netanyahu ahead of October elections.
Viewed with cautious interest as a potential partner for France's centrist diplomacy in the Middle East if he wins.
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.