Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday appointed Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government, succeeding Benjamin Netanyahu, after receiving the recommendation of 67 deputies out of 120 in the Knesset. The former chief of staff faces the challenge of forming a coalition that guarantees parliament's confidence. Who is Eisenkot, and what are his most prominent political positions?

Published on: 08/11/2026 - 07:19 Last updated: 08/11/2026 - 07:30

To view this content from YouTube, it is necessary to allow the collection of viewing rates and YouTube ads.

It appears that an application in your Internet browser is preventing the video player from loading. In order to view this content, you must cancel its use.

Gadi Eisenkot was able to outperform outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after President Isaac Herzog announced on Saturday his assignment to form the next government. However, the general, known for his reserve and calmness, which some voters see as a strength compared to his rival, needs allies to ensure he gains the confidence of the Knesset.

The opposition bloc, led by former Chief of Staff Eisenkot (66 years old), won 48 seats out of 120 in the October 27 elections, compared to 53 for Netanyahu’s camp.

The two Arab lists, the unified and the joint, won 19 seats in an unprecedented result. Both of them recommended appointing Eisenkot, which raised the number of representatives supporting his appointment to 67. It remains to be determined whether his bloc will accept relying on the votes of the two lists to gain confidence.

A conservative style is one of his main strengths

Some voters who are tired of Netanyahu's controversial statements see Eisenkot's lack of charisma as one of his most prominent strengths.

Gadi Eisenkot tends to present his ideas in brief and specific points, in a clear manifestation of the influence of his military culture, unlike Netanyahu, and the 66-year-old Eisenkot's reserved style is one of his greatest advantages.

Read also: What will change in Israel’s policy towards the Palestinians if Netanyahu loses the elections?

Eisenkot speaks English with difficulty, unlike Netanyahu, who has served the longest term in office in Israel's history, and who speaks English completely fluently with an American accent. Eisenkot seeks to appear humble and serious, in contrast to Netanyahu, who is always ready to issue resonant statements that steal the spotlight on American television or on social media.

This does not necessarily mean that his political ideas are completely contradictory to Netanyahu's ideas.

Eisenkot, who served as Army Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019, pledged to unite Israelis after the Netanyahu era, which expanded the circle of supporters of the far right and provoked deep divisions.

Read also: Live: The opposition coalition leads by a slight margin in the Israeli elections, according to opinion polls

“There is a large segment in Israel whose main goal in the upcoming elections is just for the situation to calm down,” says Tal Elovitch of the Molad Research Center.

"The middle class is looking for someone who seems responsible and boring. I think Eizenkot has that," he added.

"Jewish terrorism" sponsored by the Netanyahu government

Eisenkot also pledged during his election campaign to seek to improve Israel's image internationally after it was distorted by three years of war in the Gaza Strip and acts of violence in the occupied West Bank.

He said that he would take action against the settlers in the West Bank who attack Palestinians with impunity and who recently attacked an American journalist and a French mayor, describing these events as "Jewish terrorism" sponsored by the Netanyahu government.

However, Eisenkot is not a peace advocate. Rather, he sought to outdo Netanyahu with the right by pledging not to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. In this regard, he presented a video recording from a previous political era in which the current prime minister, under the weight of American pressure, expressed his openness to this idea.

During his leadership of the army during the 2006 war with Hezbollah, Eisenkot established what was known as the “Dahiya Doctrine,” which derives its name from the southern suburb of Beirut, Hezbollah’s stronghold, and which calls for Israel’s use of excessive force against civilian infrastructure in areas that host militants.

Israel adopted this doctrine again in Gaza, wreaking havoc on the Strip that critics say amounts to war crimes.

A simple social environment

Eisenkot received widespread public sympathy following the killing of his son Gal and two of his nephews during the Gaza battles.

His affiliation to the working class constitutes another aspect of his appeal, as, if he wins, he will be the first Sephardic Jewish prime minister whose roots go back to the Middle East and North Africa.

Unlike Netanyahu, who comes from an elite family and whose father was a prominent professor in the United States, Eisenkot is the son of Moroccan Jews and grew up in the outskirts and remote areas of Israel.

His social background was highlighted when a prominent commentator on Channel 14 TV, which supports Netanyahu, described him as a “monkey” controlled by “the Ashkenazi elite,” in reference to Jews of European origin who have historically dominated political and economic institutions in Israel.

Although this term is not necessarily an ethnic insult in Hebrew, as it may mean a "scapegoat" who bears the blame on behalf of others, the comment was met with widespread condemnation from opposition politicians and Netanyahu himself. Eisenkot was quick to exploit the matter to his advantage.

His campaign hung banners denouncing discrimination against the Sephardim, while his party accused Netanyahu of marginalizing Mizrahi Jewish members of the Likud Party by limiting their media appearances during the campaign.

Gaza and settlement

In his weekend media appearances, Eisenkot went from meeting LGBT activists at a forum in a trendy café where he promised them more protection, to meeting religious Jews before whom he defended Israeli control of the West Bank.

He told representatives of the "Religious Zionism" movement that Israeli settlement (in the West Bank) "is considered valuable provided that it serves the interests of the State of Israel and is carried out in accordance with the law."

It appeared from his statement that he rejects the establishment of random, unauthorized settlement outposts, which have fueled the recent wave of violence against the Palestinians.

Regarding Gaza, he pledged to end Hamas rule within 18 months. He said last week that achieving this would be possible either through implementing the ceasefire plan drawn up by US President Donald Trump, which stipulates the gradual disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of power, or through “innovative military operations” aimed at destroying the movement’s military wing.

"Law for Comprehensive National Service"

He addressed one of the most prominent causes of dissatisfaction among Israelis after three years of war, pledging to limit military service exceptions granted to religious school students.

He pledged to pass a "law for comprehensive national service" requiring ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arab citizens to perform military or civil service.

He sought to win over centrist and liberal voters by pledging to “protect judicial independence, the rule of law, minority rights, and a free press.”

In his last major election campaign, Eisenkot made a direct appeal to Netanyahu's hesitant supporters, calling on them to change their electoral choice.

"Deep down, you also realize that Israel cannot continue like this," he said. "Israel needs change," he added.

France 24/AFP

Keywords related to the article

The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.