Gadi Eisenkot

How a military record and personal grief made Netanyahu's biggest rival

Gadi Eisenkot’s military record, personal loss, and political rise have made him the strongest new challenger to Israel’s longest-serving prime minister

Gadi Eisenkot, head of Yashar, is the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming October election.Premium
Israel’s election campaign is gathering pace, with the country’s political parties competing over the questions of security, leadership and the direction Israel takes after three years of war.

Israel's election cycle speeds up as October 27 vote approaches - from the editor

Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot at a march for conscripting haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews into the IDF, in Jerusalem, January 15, 2026; illustrative.

Bennett, Eisenkot draw the battle lines in race to lead Israel’s next coalition - analysis

Then-deputy prime minister Naftali Bennett and then-finance minister Avigdor Liberman attend a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, in Jerusalem, July 3, 2022

Bennett, Liberman risk splitting the anti-Netanyahu camp over who leads it - opinion


Gilad Erdan confirms talks with Benny Gantz on possible election alliance

Gantz also criticized calls to form another narrow coalition without the traditional right, arguing that both a narrow “change” government and a fully right-wing government had failed.

MK Yuli Edelstein speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 13, 2026.

Netanyahu calls for Otzma Yehudit and RZP to unite, Ben-Gvir signals his opposition

"Only a large Otzma Yehudit, together with Smotrich and Ofer Winter running together, only in this way can a fully right-wing government be formed," Ben-Gvir said.

(L-R): National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen in the Knesset plenum, December 29, 2022

Ofer Winter says new People of Israel party will only back Netanyahu for PM

Former IDF general Ofer Winter positioned his new party firmly in the right-wing camp, backing Netanyahu and calling for changes to haredi draft policy.

 The launch of the new  People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Exploring Bennett's security policy vision, belief that he can convince Egypt to fix Gaza standoff

SPECIAL PROFILE: Former prime minister Naftali Bennett lays out his security policy for Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria, were he to be elected prime minister, and how he would differ from Netanyahu.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett.

Matan Kahana: Ofer Winter firmly in Netanyahu bloc, Gantz and Troper should unite or quit race

Yashar! party official Matan Kahana told 103FM on Wednesday that Ofer Winter would strengthen Netanyahu's bloc, while condemning MK Zvi Sukkot's destruction of a West Bank memorial as "a disgrace."

MK Matan Kahana attends a National Unity faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on May 26, 2025.

Netanyahu weighs rotation gov't with Eisenkot amid fears of not securing majority bloc in Knesset

Against this backdrop, the possibility of Netanyahu taking over the presidency after Herzog's term ends is being discussed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

Yair Netanyahu criticizes Winter's new party as reports emerge over connection with PM

Netanyahu claimed that the new party would lead to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu losing the upcoming election to Gadi Eisenkot.

 Yair Netanyahu (L) and Sara Netanyahu listen to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speech at The 80th session of The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 26, 2025 in New York City.

Netanyahu condemns Sukkot as opposition says MK endangered IDF soldiers for TikTok views

Sukkot's behavior is a "disgrace" to public leaders, Eisenkot stated. "He lied and deceived the IDF and its commanders, harmed security and tarnished the entire State of Israel."

MK Zvi Sukkot and several others seen smashing a monument in in Kafr Madama near Nablus, August 25, 2026.

‘Have a problem, call the PM,’ says Netanyahu as he gives out his number in campaign video

“I want to hear from you. Your suggestions, your questions, your problems. I want to hear, so leave me a message,” Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on the phone on September 04, 2019.

Eisenkot edges Netanyahu for PM suitability, Yashar bigger than Likud - poll

The bloc breakdown based on the results shows the coalition bloc with 50 seats, the opposition with 59 seats, and Arab parties with 11 seats.

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar! party, speaks during the launch of a book in Herzliya, central Israel, April 26, 2026