Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a new challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, in the upcoming election. Eisenkot’s Yashar party has been gaining momentum, with recent polls showing it running close to Netanyahu’s Likud party.

Eisenkot’s Background

Eisenkot, 66, is a former military planner who served as the Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff from 2015 to 2019. He was born in Tiberias to Moroccan immigrant parents and rose through the ranks of the military, becoming a prominent figure in Israeli politics.

Eisenkot’s party, Yashar, which means ‘straight’ or ‘honest’ in Hebrew, has been gaining support from voters who are looking for a change from Netanyahu’s leadership. Eisenkot has been critical of Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza and has called for a more strategic approach to achieving peace.

Netanyahu’s Response

Netanyahu’s party has responded to Eisenkot’s challenge by launching a series of attacks on his character and policies. Likud has accused Eisenkot of being soft on terrorism and has questioned his ability to lead the country.

Despite these attacks, Eisenkot remains a strong contender in the election. His message of honesty and integrity has resonated with many voters, and his party is expected to perform well in the upcoming election.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.