The Left Searches for a Leader — and Settles for Another General

In every election campaign, it seems that the left-wing camp sets out on a search for the "current Chief of Staff" who will save it. Once it was Ehud Barak, then Benny Gantz, now Gadi Eisenkot. As if rank on the shoulders is an insurance policy for national leadership.

But time after time, the Israeli public discovers the same simple truth: an excellent Chief of Staff is not necessarily a worthy Prime Minister. There is a huge difference between the army and politics. In the IDF, from the moment a soldier is drafted until he reaches the top command, he operates within a clear hierarchical system of orders, procedures, and a chain of command. Even a Chief of Staff, despite his senior status, operates within the framework of the political echelon and is committed to government decisions.

In contrast, a Prime Minister is the ultimate decision-maker. There is no commander above him giving orders. He is required to decide alone in historical moments, to bear full responsibility, to deal with political, security, and economic pressures, and to lead with a national vision. These are completely different abilities from those acquired in the military framework.

The most prominent example is Ehud Barak. When he arrived at the Prime Minister's office, the military aura did not make him a successful political leader. His term was particularly short, ending in just about a year and a half, and left behind a political crisis and deep disappointment among many of his supporters. It turns out that medals are not a substitute for civilian leadership.

Benny Gantz also arrived with a security record, but struggled to establish political leadership that would sweep a broad public or create a stable governing alternative. Now Gadi Eisenkot is presented as the next candidate to lead the left-wing camp. However, he has already provided a statement that sharpened, in the eyes of many on the right, his political worldview. When he compared Yoseph Haddad to Mansour Abbas, he drew sharp criticism. For many, this is not just an incorrect statement, but a political message signaling a willingness to rely in the future on partnerships with Arab parties — even after the events of October 7th.

And another worrying example: in one of his recent interviews, Gadi Eisenkot referred to the Gaza Strip and said that a distinction must be made between the Hamas leadership and the civilian population. As part of the discussion, he mentioned a number of about 150,000 Gazans in the context of Palestinians who, according to him, are not identified with Hamas or who could be relied upon as part of a future civilian mechanism in the Strip after the war, which, in my opinion, also raises doubts about the judgment and short memory regarding those who stood behind October 7th as "innocent civilians." Now this is a value-based and public question that every voter is entitled to judge for themselves and understand that what goes crooked cannot call itself straight.

Beyond that, leading the State of Israel requires exceptional ability in the international arena. A Prime Minister must stand before US Presidents, European leaders, and world powers, manage complex negotiations, and present Israel's positions with confidence and authority. This is a role that requires political experience, communication skills, a persuasive presence, and political skills that are built over years.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whether you like him or oppose him, has set an especially high bar in these areas. Even his political rivals admit that he is a politician with exceptional political experience and the ability to operate in the international arena for many years.

Therefore, it seems that the left-wing camp is returning to the same mistake again: instead of growing a political leader with public experience, it continues to look for a savior in uniform. However, the Israeli public has already learned that not everyone who commanded the IDF is also capable of leading a country.

Rank may open doors, but it does not build political leadership. Public trust is not gained at course graduation ceremonies, but in the test of reality, in the courage to make decisions, in the ability to lead with a vision, and in real political experience.

Despite the criticism, it is important for me to clarify that I have deep appreciation for everyone who chose to serve the State of Israel and dedicate years of their life to its security. Their contribution is beyond doubt. But just as not every politician can be a Chief of Staff, so too not every Chief of Staff can be a Prime Minister. Ultimately, politics is a profession in itself, and national leadership requires much more than rank on the shoulders and a desperate embrace from the left.