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Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF chief and leader of Yashar, has emerged as a major challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 2026 election.
Gadi Eizenkot is a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief and politician who served as the 21st Chief of General Staff from 2015 to 2019. (AFP file)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has dominated Israeli politics and served as prime minister for nearly two decades in total, is facing one of his toughest electoral challenges yet as the country heads towards its October 27 election.
Netanyahu enters the contest with the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the wars with Iran that followed shaping the political debate. His government has also faced criticism over its handling of the Gaza war and questions over its broader post-war strategy.
Now, one of his strongest challengers is former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, who has emerged as a serious contender after launching his own political party, Yashar.
Prediction markets have also put Eizenkot ahead of Netanyahu. According to the latest Polymarket figures cited in the market, Eizenkot has around 54% odds of becoming prime minister after the October 27 election, compared with about 31% for Netanyahu. Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett are each at around 6%.
However, prediction-market odds are not election results or conventional polling, and Israel’s parliamentary system means that a candidate must ultimately be able to build a governing coalition. Reuters has also reported that Eizenkot’s Yashar is gaining momentum, although the outcome remains difficult to predict.
🇮🇱 Who will be Israel’s next prime minister? 🤔Gadi Eizenkot leads on Polymarket, with 54% odds to be sworn in after the October 27 election.
Netanyahu sits at just 31%.
Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett each hold around 6%.
The market has traded over $31 million in… pic.twitter.com/edEtb5NsdY
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 13, 2026
Who Is Gadi Eizenkot?
Gadi Eizenkot is a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief and politician who served as the 21st Chief of General Staff from 2015 to 2019. After more than four decades in the military, he entered politics and has emerged as a prominent challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Eizenkot entered politics in 2022 with Benny Gantz’s National Unity alliance. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, he joined Israel’s emergency unity government and served as an observer in the War Cabinet. He resigned alongside Gantz in June 2024, criticising the government’s handling of the Gaza war and its lack of a clear post-war strategy.
Born in Tiberias in 1960, Eizenkot joined the IDF’s Golani Brigade in 1978 and rose through senior command positions, including commander of the Golani Brigade, Northern Command and deputy chief of the General Staff.
He became IDF chief in February 2015 and oversaw the military’s Gideon multi-year plan, which focused on combat readiness, ground forces, intelligence and cyber capabilities. He also played a key role in countering Hezbollah and Iranian influence in the region.
Eizenkot retired in January 2019 after 41 years of military service.
Why Did Eizenkot Launch Yashar?
After leaving National Unity, Eizenkot launched Yashar!, a political movement focused on national security, national unity, democratic institutions and strengthening the IDF.
He has also called for accountability over the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks. His military background has helped establish him as a security-focused alternative to Netanyahu.
Recent polling has shown Yashar emerging as a significant political force, including one June poll that put the party ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud in projected Knesset seats.
Eizenkot’s Personal Tragedy
Eizenkot’s political career has also been marked by personal loss. His son, Gal Eizenkot, was killed while serving in Gaza in December 2023.
The tragedy has shaped his public image as a former military commander who has personally experienced the human cost of the war.
Why Is Eizenkot Challenging Netanyahu?
Eizenkot’s key advantage is his combination of extensive military experience and relatively recent entry into politics.
With more than four decades in the IDF, he has strong security credentials while presenting himself as a unifying alternative to Netanyahu. His Yashar party is also seeking support beyond the traditional political camps.
As Israel heads towards its October 27, 2026 election, Eizenkot has emerged as one of the leading figures challenging Netanyahu for the prime minister’s post.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
Jerusalem, Israel
August 13, 2026, 8:11 PM IST
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