Gadi Eisenkot, Israel’s former Chief of General Staff, has emerged as a notable figure in the discourse surrounding the country’s upcoming elections. The 66-year-old former general now leads a political party called ‘Yashar.’ Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, he served in Israel’s wartime cabinet. However, he later resigned from the cabinet due to disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the conduct of the war in Gaza and the strategy for bringing it to an end. He currently advocates for the formation of a professional government, the implementation of mandatory military service for all, and the establishment of a commission to investigate the security failures of October 7.
From the Military to Politics
Gadi Eisenkot served as the Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2015 to 2019. Prior to this, in 2008, his remarks regarding Israel’s military strategy against Hezbollah in Lebanon drew significant attention. He publicly articulated a military policy known as the ‘Dahiya Doctrine,’ which entails the use of ‘disproportionate force’ against groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, including the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 as part of the ‘National Unity’ alliance, led by Benny Gantz. Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, he joined Netanyahu’s wartime cabinet. However, he soon found himself at odds with Netanyahu over the objectives of the war and the plans for its conclusion.
In June 2024, Eisenkot—along with Benny Gantz—resigned from the wartime cabinet. Eisenkot alleged that the Netanyahu government lacked a clear strategy for ending the war.
Personal Loss and Public Support
Eisenkot’s own family has suffered profound losses during the war in Gaza. In December 2023, his 25-year-old son, Gal, was killed in action in Gaza. A nephew of his was also killed that same month. In November 2024, another of his nephews was killed while serving in Gaza. Reports indicate that this personal experience—shared with many others affected by the war—has made him more relatable to a segment of the electorate.
Goals of the New Party
Approximately a year after leaving the wartime cabinet, Eisenkot formed a new political party called ‘Yashar.’ His stated objectives include establishing a professional government, mandating military service for all—including the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community—and forming a state commission of inquiry into the security failures that preceded the October 7 attacks.
While his stance on many foreign policy issues remains unclear, he has criticized the Israeli government’s reliance on the United States to achieve its war objectives. Furthermore, he has taken issue with the fact that Israel continues to depend on U.S. aid without questioning the underlying goals of the war.
Eisenkot has also ruled out the possibility of including Arab-led parties in any coalition government formed after the elections. Consequently, his political positioning and the question of potential future alliances have become significant topics in Israel’s electoral discourse.
