Israeli wartime election deadlocked as former general Eisenkot challenges Netanyahu

Israel's wartime election ended in a deadlock on Tuesday, with exit polls showing Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc tied neck and neck with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp. Neither side secured a clear path to power in the tight contest.

Background and Career

Gadi Eisenkot is 66 years old and comes from a working-class family of Jewish Moroccan immigrants. He spent four decades rising through military ranks to become the chief of staff. He entered politics in 2022 and currently leads the centrist Yashar!, the largest opposition party. His son and two nephews were killed in combat in Gaza after the October 7 attacks. Eisenkot also served as an observer in Netanyahu's war cabinet before resigning after eight months, accusing the prime minister of lacking a clear strategy.

Political Stance and Strategy

Eisenkot presents himself as a moderate alternative to Netanyahu while keeping a hawkish stance on security. He formulated the Dahiyeh Doctrine, a military strategy that calls for using disproportionate power in areas used by militants to launch attacks. On Iran, he states that its nuclear program must be curbed, using military force if needed, but views regime change in Tehran as unachievable. If he builds a coalition, he could become Israel's first Prime Minister of Mizrahi descent, representing Jews from North Africa and the Middle East who faced past discrimination from the European-descended elite.

The Kingmaker Role

Final election results could take days, and smaller parties may become kingmakers during coalition talks that often stretch for weeks or months. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, aged 54, leads the right-wing Beyachad ticket with Yair Lapid. Bennett opposes Palestinian independence, supports West Bank settlements, and could decide the next government if neither main bloc wins a majority.

Context

Israeli politics frequently rely on multi-party coalition governments because single parties rarely win an outright majority in the Knesset. This system gives smaller factions immense leverage after every election. Regional security issues, particularly involving Iran and Gaza, remain central to all major political alliances in the country.