Australian Profile Marks Gadi Eisenkot as Prime Challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu
Australia's ABC network highlights former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's upcoming October 2026 elections amid deep societal shifts.
Benjamin Netanyahu's long-standing rule is facing one of its most critical political junctions. An extensive profile report published by Australia's ABC network, authored by journalists Matthew Doran and Sami Sokol on the investigative program "7.30", identifies Gadi Eisenkot—whom Netanyahu once appointed as IDF Chief of Staff—as the leading contender to unseat the prime minister in the upcoming Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, 2026.
According to the report, the upcoming electoral cycle is shaping up to be among the most consequential in Israel's history as the nation approaches eight decades since its founding. This comes on the heels of multi-front military engagements and profound societal turmoil that has threatened to fracture the social fabric and place unprecedented pressure on the country's international standing.
If current polls cited in Australian media are to be believed, the right-wing coalition led by Netanyahu and the Likud party will face a formidable challenge from the opposition bloc, which is expected to be spearheaded by former IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot and his political party, "Yashar!". The network notes that the party's name is not accidental, reflecting Eisenkot's platform emphasizing honesty and transparency with voters after a tenure marked by alleged concealment and deception by the incumbent administration.
The Contrast in Leadership Styles
"You have to understand that Eisenkot is everything Netanyahu is not," explained Prof. Gideon Rahat from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to ABC. "Eisenkot lost his son and his nephew in the war in Gaza, while at least one of Netanyahu's children spent most of the war in Miami. Netanyahu is a performer; he speaks excellent English. Eisenkot's English, by contrast, is less polished. He is a grassroots man, an ordinary person."
Shaul Meridor, a former senior official at the Ministry of Finance and a candidate for the "Yashar!" party, reinforced these sentiments, adding that "when Eisenkot says things, he means them. He is a mensch. When we worked together, I saw a man who gets to the root of the matter and tries to solve problems in depth."
The Australian news outlet emphasizes that Netanyahu's current government relies on a complex coalition agreement involving at least five parties, widely described as the most right-wing in Israel's history. The report specifically highlights the influence of ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, who reportedly face international sanctions—including from the Australian government—over their policies and rhetoric regarding Palestinians.
Polling and Political Dynamics
Recent opinion polls, such as one by Channel 13 cited in the report, indicate that the "Yashar!" party could emerge as the largest faction in the Knesset with 22 mandates, compared to 21 for Likud. However, the overall bloc distribution remains deadlocked, with both Eisenkot's bloc and Netanyahu's coalition standing at 53 mandates each, leaving both sides short of an absolute majority and forced to court smaller parties.
Conversely, Channel 14, described in the report as Israel's most conservative network and a government mouthpiece, presents a much more favorable picture for Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition. Prof. Rahat summarized the situation by stating that these elections will determine whether Israel becomes a "religious, far-right Sparta, as Netanyahu has pointed toward, or a liberal democracy."
Beyond political friction, Eisenkot's campaign is seeking to capitalize on public outrage surrounding the cost of living in Israel, which consistently ranks among the most expensive nations in the OECD, as well as a growing sense of international isolation.
Foreign Policy and Security Posture
Meridor noted during a small campaign event in Motsa Eilit that the current government has stopped talking to the world. "Aside from the Trump administration, which is very important, we have many friends in the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. We must have leaders who will start talking to them again," Meridor told attendees.
Despite promises of greater diplomatic openness, the report clarifies that no dramatic shift is expected in Israel's security policy under Eisenkot's leadership. The former Chief of Staff, who resigned from the war cabinet after accusing Netanyahu of dragging out the conflict for political reasons at the expense of the hostages, has made it clear that there will be no withdrawal from the Gaza Strip until Hamas is fully disarmed and has outright rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Australian network also reminded its audience that Eisenkot is the architect of the "Dahiya Doctrine", developed during his tenure as head of the Northern Command, which advocates for the use of disproportionate force to deter terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah.
Core Social Cleavages
Ultimately, the political struggle boils down to two core issues tearing Israeli society apart: Eisenkot's demand for the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, and the issue of military conscription for ultra-Orthodox citizens, particularly in light of the 2024 Supreme Court ruling declaring blanket exemptions illegal.
Netanyahu, for his part, continues to oppose an official inquiry commission, arguing it would serve as a political witch hunt, while ongoing efforts to reinstate draft exemptions continue to ignite widespread waves of protest across the country.
