Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who founded the Yashar! party in September 2025, is reportedly leading in recent polls ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Yashar! party, positioned in the political center, has consistently received 22 to 24 seats in polls, while the Likud party, led by Netanyahu, is projected to secure 21 to 23 seats. The newly merged center‑right party of former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, called Beyachad, is polling at 13 to 15 seats.
Eisenkot, 66, has a military background that includes service in the Golani Brigade and tenure as IDF Chief of Staff. He entered politics in 2022 and served briefly as a Member of Knesset for Benny Gantz’s National Unity party and for eight months in Netanyahu’s war cabinet. His Yashar! platform emphasizes “truth, rehabilitation of Israeli society after the war, and long‑term strengthening of the country.”
Political analysts attribute Eisenkot’s rise to a combination of his personal profile and the public’s desire for new leadership. He is described as short, overweight, and unassuming, often wearing a black T‑shirt and jeans. Eisenkot’s background as the son of Moroccan immigrants and his upbringing in Tiberias and Eilat are cited as factors that resonate with voters who value honesty and humility.
In addition to his military service, Eisenkot’s personal losses during the Gaza war—his youngest son Gal and two nephews were killed in December 2023—have contributed to his public image as a symbol of sacrifice. He has stated that he opposes Palestinian statehood and has advocated for a strong, centralized public sector. Eisenkot has also indicated a willingness to form a coalition that could include the moderate Arab party Ra’am.
The Yashar! campaign has raised approximately NIS 16 million (about $5.3 million) in financial guarantees from wealthy donors, according to Israel’s State Comptroller. The party also engages in grassroots campaigning, holding meet‑and‑greet events and town‑hall meetings across the country, including in Likud strongholds such as Dimona and Kiryat Shmona.
Eisenkot’s media strategy includes a presence on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and other platforms, as well as interviews in mainstream media and podcasts. His campaign has employed hard‑ball tactics, posting short videos that juxtapose Netanyahu’s security promises with footage from the October 7 attacks and portraying Netanyahu as a liar. Eisenkot has avoided personal attacks on Netanyahu, focusing instead on policy differences.
Opposition parties led by Bennett and Lapid have criticized Eisenkot’s inexperience, while the Likud campaign has concentrated its criticism on Eisenkot, viewing him as the primary threat to Netanyahu’s tenure. Netanyahu’s campaign has used AI‑generated videos to attack Eisenkot, which were widely condemned.
As Israel approaches the next election, Eisenkot’s growing poll numbers and his ability to mobilize support in traditionally Likud‑strong areas have drawn attention from political observers and analysts.
Article and image source: jta.org
