Israel’s political battle has intensified ahead of Tuesday’s election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a strong challenge from former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. While Netanyahu has highlighted his security credentials and taken a hard line on Iran, Eisenkot has promised to heal divisions within Israeli society and bring political change.
In his final major rally before the vote, held on Sunday, Eisenkot called for unity and urged Israelis to move beyond the divisions that have marked Netanyahu’s tenure. He stressed that his goal was not to defeat one section of society but to bring supporters and opponents together.
Polls conducted before the pre-election blackout showed Netanyahu and Eisenkot running neck and neck, suggesting a closely contested race.
Eisenkot questions Netanyahu’s leadership
Eisenkot, a former military chief who entered politics more recently than Netanyahu, has portrayed the prime minister as unfit to lead the country. He has promised to establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
The attack and the subsequent war have remained central to the country’s political debate. Eisenkot has argued that the government must accept responsibility for its successes as well as its failures.
He has also appealed directly to voters who traditionally support Netanyahu’s Likud party, urging them to consider a change in leadership.
Some supporters at his rally said they were looking for a leader they could trust and who could help restore stability to Israeli society.
Netanyahu focuses on Iran and security
Netanyahu has made national security a central theme of his campaign, presenting himself as the candidate best equipped to confront Iran and protect Israel.
He has accused Eisenkot and his allies of being weak on Iran, arguing that a change of government could jeopardise Israel’s military objectives. Netanyahu has also opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, portraying the issue as a major threat to the country’s security.
On Sunday, he shared an AI-generated image depicting a mushroom cloud over Tel Aviv, accompanied by a message highlighting what he described as the Iranian threat.
Eisenkot, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu of using the Iran conflict for political advantage and questioned whether the prime minister had achieved his stated war objectives.
Although Eisenkot opposes the creation of a Palestinian state, he has pledged to take action against extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank who attack Palestinians.
Corruption trial adds to political pressure
Netanyahu is also facing a corruption trial, with allegations that he denies. His critics accuse him of prioritising his political survival over the country’s broader interests.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid has backed the push for political change and indicated his willingness to join a coalition with Eisenkot.
With security, the economy and national unity dominating the campaign, the election could prove a crucial test of Netanyahu’s continued political influence and the opposition’s ability to offer a credible alternative.
Reader Comments 0