Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of putting political interests ahead of Israel security

Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October legislative election, accused him on Monday of putting political interests ahead of Israel’s security.

Eisenkot, a former army chief of staff, unveiled his Yashar party’s candidates for the 27 October election and criticised Netanyahu for failing to fulfil his responsibilities since Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, the deadliest in the country’s history.

“At a time of the deep rupture that occurred on 7 October and the serious challenges facing the State of Israel, we need leadership that rises to the level of responsibility, knows how to unite and restore the principles of Zionism,” Eisenkot said at a campaign rally in the Israeli settlement of Rosh HaAyin.

A poll published on Sunday by public broadcaster Kan forecast that Yashar would win 23 seats in the upcoming election, ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud party with 20 seats, out of 120 in the Knesset.

Opposition parties could win 51 seats, compared with 52 for parties expected to form a coalition with Likud.

If neither bloc secures the 61 seats needed for an outright parliamentary majority, it could seek alliances with other political parties, particularly two parties that include mainly Arab candidates. The poll forecasted that the two parties would win 13 seats.