Gadi Eisenkot

With new players and old alliances, Israel’s post-October 7 political map takes shape

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Two significant political developments played out this week as Israel moves towards elections. Gadi Eisenkot and Yonatan Shamriz took the reflectors with key announcements.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett seen with Gadi Eisenkot during a march in support of the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, from the entrance of Jerusalem to the Knesset, January 15, 2026
Opposition head Yair Lapid arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026

Israel's Opposition hits 61 seat majority for first time in months - poll

Gadi Eisenkot and Yesh Atid leader MK Yair Lapid seen on November 1, 2025

Could Bennett, Lapid, and Eisenkot topple Netanyahu in Israel's next election? - analysis

Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot embrace at draft law protests in Jerusalem on January 15, 2026.

Gadi Eisenkot pushing for unified list with Bennett, Lapid to rival Netanyahu's Likud


Gideon Sa'ar is 'unqualified' to serve as defense minister, Eisenkot charges

MK Gadi Eisenkot criticized Gideon Sa'ar's potential appointment as defense minister, calling it unqualified and risky for Israeli security.

 (L-R): MK Gideon Sa'ar, MK Gadi Eisenkot

Philadelphi corridor is not an existential threat, Gantz and Eisenkot say

"If Netanyahu is not strong enough to withstand the public pressure in order to return to Philadelphi – he should resign."

 Gadi Eisenkot holds a press conference with Head of the National Unity party Minister Benny Gantz at the Knesset, February 26, 2024

MK Gadi Eisenkot, Opposition leaders: PM must be summoned for meeting

Opposition MKs demand Netanyahu appear before the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, citing his failure to achieve war objectives and decisions risking Israel's security.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the 2021 elections box

The protest movement is weaponizing the hostage crisis - opinion

We should not forgive the leaders of the protest movement for politically exploiting the hostage families after October 7.

 SLOGANS AT a protest in Tel Aviv last Saturday night include calls for releasing the hostages and an early Knesset election. First. the anti-government protesters politicized the military; now, they politicize the hostage families, the writer charges.

Ben-Gvir claims Netanyahu assured him seat on gov't security forum amid ahead of coalition drama

"I asked to create a forum that doesn't only consist of people of the same mindset... unfortunately, to this day, it has not happened," Ben-Gvir said.

 Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security attends a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on November 20, 2023.

Eisenkot reveals: Plan for Hezbollah war hasn't changed since first week of fighting

Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu's leadership, citing lack of updated war objectives, failure in hostage returns, and political interference in security decisions.

 MK Gadi Eisenkot attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on the ultra-Orthodox draft law at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 24, 2024.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: 'We are closer to a deal than we have ever been'

Earlier, Netanyahu sent a team led by Mossad Director David Barnea to participate in further negotiations for a deal after Hamas dropped its demand for an upfront pledge that Israel ends the war. 

 Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends a state ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers whose burial place is unknown at Mount Herzl Military cemetery in Jerusalem on March 17, 2024

MK Eisenkot: We've never been closer to hostage deal, held back by Netanyahu

 "We are in the closest place to a deal in the last nine months. The prices will be very high, but Israel can afford to stop the war for four months and as long as necessary."

 MK Gadi Eisenkot attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on the ultra-Orthodox draft law at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 24, 2024.

Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee resumes haredi draft debates

Knesset Home Committee approves fast tracking extension of reservists age cut off.

 MK Gadi Eisenkot attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on the ultra-Orthodox draft law at the Knesset, June 18, 2024

Judicial reform protesters partly to blame for Hamas massacre, Netanyahu hints

In his first Hebrew interview since the start of the war with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses judicial reform protests, current demonstrations, the haredi draft and more.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, June 8, 2024.