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- Former military chief of Moroccan origin served 41 years in Israeli army - Eisenkot joined Israel’s war cabinet in 2023, participating in decision-making during Gaza war
By Abdel Raouf Arnaout and Lina Altawell
JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL (AA) – After a 41-year career in the Israeli military, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot is seeking to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tuesday’s legislative elections, in a contest between two figures whose careers have been closely tied to Israel’s military and political establishments.
Eisenkot, 66, is running at the head of the Yashar party, which he founded in 2025, promising to form a “change” government that would end the rule of Netanyahu, 77, who has served as prime minister for a combined period of more than 17 years.
Opinion polls show Yashar, contesting elections for the first time, ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party.
At the same time, polls indicate that neither man’s bloc is expected to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
That means the contest is unlikely to be decided simply by which party finishes first, with post-election alliances expected to play a decisive role in determining who becomes the next prime minister.
- Moroccan roots
Eisenkot was born in 1960 in Tiberias to a Jewish family of Moroccan origin and grew up in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
His father was born in Marrakesh, while his mother was born in Casablanca.
He joined the Israeli army’s Golani Brigade in 1978, beginning as a soldier in the 13th Infantry Battalion before rising through the ranks to command the brigade, according to his party’s website.
During his military career, Eisenkot served as military secretary to two prime ministers and commanded the occupied West Bank division during the Second Palestinian Intifada, which began in 2000.
He later headed the Operations Directorate, commanded the Northern Command and served as deputy chief of staff.
In 2015, he became the Israeli army’s 21st chief of staff, remaining in the post until 2019.
- ‘Dahiya Doctrine’
Eisenkot’s name is closely associated with the so-called “Dahiya Doctrine,” which advocates the use of disproportionate military force against infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to Yashar’s website, Eisenkot developed the doctrine while serving as head of the Northern Command and the Operations Directorate following the 2006 Lebanon war.
The doctrine calls for expanding the use of military force against infrastructure during confrontations with Hezbollah beyond directly targeting military positions.
As chief of staff, Eisenkot oversaw implementation of the multi-year Gideon Plan, aimed at strengthening the Israeli army’s ground, air, naval, intelligence and cyber capabilities.
His party biography also says he introduced measures in 2015 to confront stabbing attacks in the occupied West Bank and tunnels along the Gaza and northern borders.
- From military to politics
After retiring from the army, Eisenkot headed the David Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, which focuses on preserving the legacy of Israel’s first prime minister and developing the Negev. He also held positions in the private sector.
He was elected to the Knesset in 2022.
In August 2023, while serving on the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Eisenkot warned that Israel’s deterrence and regional standing were eroding, blaming government policies and deep internal divisions.
In October 2023, Eisenkot joined Israel’s war cabinet as a minister and participated in decision-making over the war on Gaza.
His son Gal was killed on Dec. 7, 2023, during Israeli attacks on Jabalia in northern Gaza. Two of his nephews were also killed during fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000 others, while around 90% of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed.
Despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since Oct. 10, 2025, Israeli attacks involving bombardment and gunfire have continued, causing further casualties.
- Challenge to Netanyahu
Eisenkot holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Tel Aviv University, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Haifa and a master’s degree from the US Army War College.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2019 by Reichman University.
Eisenkot founded Yashar party in 2025 as a vehicle for challenging Netanyahu for the premiership.
The party presents itself as an alternative government and says its goal is to preserve Israel as a “Jewish, democratic, secure and strong state.”
Although Eisenkot presents himself as a candidate for change, his record includes commanding the Israeli army and serving in the war cabinet during the Gaza genocidal war.
The electoral contest with Netanyahu centers on who will lead the next government. His party positions do not indicate a fundamental departure from Israel’s military approach toward the Palestinians.
Netanyahu is seeking to retain the premiership, while Eisenkot hopes to capitalize on his lead in opinion polls to bring Netanyahu’s rule to an end.
With polls giving neither bloc a parliamentary majority, each side’s ability to assemble a coalition of at least 61 lawmakers is expected to determine who can form the next government.
