THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

The former military chief now challenging Netanyahu for Israel’s top ... Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who is running for prime minister in the next Israeli election, is pictured in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 24, 2026. Nir Elias/Reuters The Middle East See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Tel Aviv — On the evening of June 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s Likud party posted four words on its official X account. “There is no Gadi without Tibi.” Accompanying the short message was an AI-generated, 11-second clip showing two politicians – Gadi Eisenkot and Ahmad Tibi – standing together before a parliament covered in dark clouds. “Eisenkot does not have a government without the Arabs,” the text at the end said, referencing Tibi, a prominent Arab lawmaker. The post underscored two fundamental elements of the party’s campaign ahead of parliamentary elections slated for late October. First, that Netanyahu will once again rely on the anti-Arab rhetoric that his party has employed for years. And second, that Israel’s former military chief Eisenkot is now seen as the main political threat to the country’s longest-serving leader. Ei…

Why Gadi Eisenkot Is Becoming The Anti Netanyahu Israel Has Been ... Benjamin Netanyahu has built his entire political career on the idea that he is irreplaceable. He tells Israelis that only he can handle Washington, only he can stand up to Iran, and only he can guarantee the nation's survival. But a quiet, blunt former military general is completely upending that narrative. Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the surging Yashar party, doesn't look like a traditional charismatic politician. He isn't slick. His English is heavily accented. He doesn't deliver theatrical speeches with colorful props. Yet, recent polling ahead of the October 2026 Knesset elections shows Yashar neck-and-neck with Netanyahu's Likud party, both projected to win over twenty seats. Israelis are exhausted. They are tired of the constant political survival games, and Eisenkot represents a stark departure from the current leadership style. The rise of Gadi Eisenkot and the shift in Israeli politics To understand why Eisenkot is gaining ground, you have to look at what just happened on the regional stage. The recently finalized memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has left a massive portion…

Eisenkot Slams Lapid, Exposes Deep Opposition Rift: ‘We Haven’t … >>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<< Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot publicly rebuked Yair Lapid today, rejecting speculation that he is preparing to join a political alliance with Lapid and Naftali Bennett and revealing a significant breakdown in communication between the two camps. In an interview with Channel 12 News, Eisenkot dismissed Lapid’s recent prediction that he would soon become part of a united opposition bloc, suggesting the comment stemmed more from political pressure than from any real discussions. “That was a strange statement. I assume it came out of pressure,” Eisenkot said. He noted that he and Lapid have barely spoken in recent months, with only a brief phone conversation taking place during that period. Eisenkot acknowledged that the two had worked together in the past but said those efforts ultimately failed. Looking ahead, he said his focus is on defeating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside a broad coalition of opposition figures, including Lapid, Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and others. The former IDF chief of staff also disclosed that relations between the parties have deterio…

Gruff and unpolished, Gadi Eisenkot is becoming the face of the anti-Netanyahu movement <p>The plainspoken ex-IDF head embodies a shift from the PM's slick style, which has come to define Israeli politics. But after surging in the polls, he now faces a brutal campaign as Netanyahu's chief foe</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/gruff-and-unpolished-gadi-eisenkot-is-becoming-the-face-of-the-anti-netanyahu-movement/">Gruff and unpolished, Gadi Eisenkot is becoming the face of the anti-Netanyahu movement</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com">The Times of Israel</a>.</p> <figure><img src="https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/07/F260630CG821-1024x640.jpg" title="Gruff and unpolished, Gadi Eisenkot is becoming the face of the anti-Netanyahu movement" border="0" width="160" height="100" class="type:primaryImage"></figure>

Who is Gadi Eisenkot, the Israeli politician who could dethrone … Israel’s former army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot (L) takes part in a joint press conference with Defence Minister and Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) party chief Benny Gantz. Photo by Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images) By Simone Saidmehr June 19, 2026 Until recently, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett appeared to be the opposition figure best positioned to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s election this fall. But a new contender has emerged: Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, whose newly formed Yashar! (“Straight!”) party is rapidly gaining popularity. According to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, Eisenkot’s party currently projects to win 21 Knesset seats, trailing Netanyahu’s Likud at 23. Bennett and Yair Lapid’s joint slate, Together, the duo that managed to win the 2021 elections, is polling at 17 seats. Several other major Israeli polls reflect a similar or even stronger position for Eisenkot. As of this writing, Eisenkot and Netanyahu are neck and neck on Polymarket as the most likely politician to become the next prime minister. Amid Trump’s Iran deal, which left Netanyahu in t…

Israel ex-army chief launches campaign in bid to unseat Netanyahu globalnation / Middle East Middle East Israel ex-army chief launches campaign in bid to unseat Netanyahu Agence France-Presse , Associated Press / 08:42 AM July 01, 2026 Share: Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar (“Straight”), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party’s election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) NEVE YARAK — Israel’s former army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot on Tuesday announced the start of his electoral campaign as he bids to take over the seat of prime minister from veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Four months ahead of the planned polls, Eisenkot held his first electoral meeting, where he declared that “Israel deserves to open a new chapter. We will write it together.” “For the future of Israel, we must ensure that next October, the ‘October 7’ government ends its role in history,” he said, in reference to the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that occurred under Netanyahu’s watch. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Israel detonates tunnel, strikes south Lebanon F…

Eisenkot launches election campaign, vows to unify after 'chaos ... Gadi Eisenkot, the current frontrunner to serve as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming election, formally launched his campaign on Tuesday, vowing to be a unifying leader and replace a government he accused of creating “chaos.” The head of the new centrist Yashar party declared he is running for prime minister and unveiled wide-ranging plans he promised to implement, from education, economy and public security to recruiting the Haredi and Arab publics to military and national service, and reversing the trend of brain drain. Under the slogan “Israel must win,” he called the upcoming elections “fateful for the security, unity and soul of Israel.” “This coming October, the government of the terrible October will come to its end,” he said, referring to the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023. “We will open a new and much better chapter in Israel’s history. We will write it together.” Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff who left Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party to lead his own movement, vowed to be a “unifying” leader rooted in “the tradition of Israel, its heritage and Torah” an…

Eisenkot launches campaign: 'I will be the Prime Minister of all ... Eisenkot launches campaign: 'I will be the Prime Minister of all Israelis' At the launch event for his campaign for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot declared that he would work to unite Israeli society, establish a broad-based government, and strengthen Israel's national security. Yoni Kempinski Jun 30, 2026, 9:49 PM (GMT+3) Elections Gadi Eisenkot 1 minutes Eisenkot Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90 Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot officially launched his campaign for prime minister Tuesday evening, outlining his vision for leading the country in the coming years. Opening his remarks, Eisenkot reflected on the personal price he has paid over the years. "I lost friends in war, I also lost family members, and I am not prepared to lose the country as well," he said. According to Eisenkot, his goal is to lead a new path that will enable Israeli society to unite around shared objectives. Eisenkot declared his intention to establish "a Zionist, unifying, and worthy government," stressing that he would strive to be "the prime minister of all Israelis." He added that a government under his leadership would not seek to defeat one…

Netanyahu's emerging challenger represents his polar opposite ... - CNN Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who is running for prime minister in the next Israeli election, is pictured in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 24, 2026. Nir Elias/Reuters The Middle East See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow Tel Aviv — On the evening of June 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s Likud party posted four words on its official X account. “There is no Gadi without Tibi.” Accompanying the short message was an AI-generated, 11-second clip showing two politicians – Gadi Eisenkot and Ahmad Tibi – standing together before a parliament covered in dark clouds. “Eisenkot does not have a government without the Arabs,” the text at the end said, referencing Tibi, a prominent Arab lawmaker. The post underscored two fundamental elements of the party’s campaign ahead of parliamentary elections slated for late October. First, that Netanyahu will once again rely on the anti-Arab rhetoric that his party has employed for years. And second, that Israel’s former military chief Eisenkot is now seen as the main political threat to the country’s longest-serving leader. Eis…

Israel ex-army chief launches campaign in bid to unseat Netanyahu ISRAEL: Israel's former army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot on Tuesday announced the start of his electoral campaign as he bids to take over the seat of prime minister from veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Four months ahead of the planned polls, Eisenkot held his first electoral meeting, where he declared that "Israel deserves to open a new chapter. We will write it together." "For the future of Israel, we must ensure that next October, the 'October 7' government ends its role in history," he said, in reference to the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that occurred under Netanyahu's watch. "We will open a new chapter in the history of Israel, a much better chapter, because Israel must win, and it will win," he continued. A sharp critic of Netanyahu's policies and conduct during the Gaza war, Eisenkot founded his Yashar (Right in Hebrew) party in September 2023. A poll on Israel's Channel 12 this week predicted his party would clinch 22 out of 120 seats, right behind Netanyahu's Likud party which was projected to win 24 seats. The son of Moroccan Jewish migrants, Eisenkot enjoys popular support, especially as his son…

Eisenkot launches election campaign, vows to unify after ‘chaos’ wrought by current government <p>Netanyahu's likely main rival, whose background starkly contrasts with PM's, pledges to form Oct. 7 state inquiry, broaden IDF ranks, cap reserve service, and be a PM 'for all Israeli citizens'</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/eisenkot-launches-election-campaign-vows-to-unify-after-chaos-wrought-by-current-government/">Eisenkot launches election campaign, vows to unify after &#8216;chaos&#8217; wrought by current government</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com">The Times of Israel</a>.</p> <figure><img src="https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/06/F260630CG808-1024x640.jpg" title="Eisenkot launches election campaign, vows to unify after &#8216;chaos&#8217; wrought by current government" border="0" width="160" height="100" class="type:primaryImage"></figure>

This grieving father and ex-general could test the grip of Israel's ... Gadi Eizenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar ("Straight"), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party's election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Credit: AP/Ariel Schalit By The Associated Press Updated June 30, 2026 3:24 pm Share JERUSALEM — A leading Israeli general who quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war Cabinet after accusing him of lacking a strategy in Gaza has emerged as one of the premier’s most serious challengers in elections scheduled for the fall. His name is Gadi Eisenkot. On Tuesday in Israel, his centrist political party “Yashar!” or “Straight!” formally launched its election season campaign. “This time it’s on us,” said Eisenkot at the launch event Tuesday. “Will we turn a blind eye to the disaster that has befallen us? Will we accept the continued division and rush to the next disaster? Or will we heal and rebuild?” His rise from the highest ranks of the military could sharpen scrutiny of Netanyahu and his stewardship of Israel through multiple wars. Like nearly all of the prime minister’s riva…

Israeli general Gadi Eisenkot challenges Netanyahu with Yashar! party ... Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar (“Straight”), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party’s election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar (“Straight”), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party’s election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar (“Straight”), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party’s election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar (“Straight”), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party’s election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) JERUSALEM (AP) — A leading Israeli general who quit Prime MinisterBenj…

Gadi Eisenkot, the straight-talking Israeli former general taking on ... Middle East Gadi Eisenkot, the straight-talking Israeli former general taking on Netanyahu | Tsafrir Abayov,/AP/File Former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot announces his election bid in the previous round of Israeli parliamentary elections, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Aug. 14, 2022. In September 2025 he announced the formation of his own Yashar party, which is climbing in the polls. Loading... By Shoshanna Solomon Special contributor Dina Kraft Special correspondent June 24, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET | Tel Aviv, Israel; and Washington In interviews and public statements, Gadi Eisenkot, a retired general and bookworm, weighs his words carefully. His mind for military strategy and his quiet but intense drive propelled him – a son of working-class Moroccan Jewish immigrants who grew up in the most remote corner of Israel – from foot soldier to army chief of staff. Now he’s fighting to become Israel’s next leader while mourning his youngest son, Gal, who was killed during a mission in Gaza to retrieve the remains of Israeli hostages slain in the early weeks of the war in Gaza. Why We Wrote This As Israelis prepare f…