"We were in shock": How Gadi Eisenkot chose Golani over the Navy
Yaakov Kisus, who has known Gadi Eisenkot since age 3, recalls their shared childhood in Eilat, the surprising decision to enlist in the Golani Brigade instead of the Navy, and the traits that have defined Eisenkot's career: modesty, perseverance, and sensitivity.
Many in the Israeli public cherish the character of Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, both as a former Chief of Staff and as a bereaved father from the recent war. Yaakov Kisus, one of Eisenkot's long-time childhood friends, spoke about their decades-long acquaintance and the prominent traits of the candidate for Prime Minister.
"I have known Eisenkot for 62 years. I have known him since age 3, through high school, the army, and our families afterward," shared Kisus. "He works hard, running to every corner of the country. He remembers many things on the move; when a soldier was killed in Eilat almost a week ago, I received the message at seven in the morning, and he had already called the family to express his condolences," he said regarding his current activities.
Kisus recalled their shared youth and the pre-enlistment period: "We all studied in the maritime track in Eilat and were destined for the Navy. We arrived at the induction center together, but suddenly he disappeared for an hour and returned wearing a Golani infantry jacket. We were in shock. We continued to the Navy, and he continued to Golani. It wasn't something we knew in advance; it was likely lurking within him, and he decided to go there."
Addressing Eisenkot's personality, he noted:
"He has perseverance, humility, modesty, and deep thinking. He is a very thorough person who understands history and remembers people. Above all, he is a human being; he is emotional, which shows in his interactions with bereaved families. We knew him from school not as a prankster, but as a smiling, thoughtful person."
Kisus noted that it was only as Eisenkot advanced in rank that his friends realized he would become a significant figure: "We started thinking in that direction when he was a brigade commander and then head of the operations directorate. We used to say he was too good to be Chief of Staff, that he had a heart and modesty, and that he didn't 'shoot from the hip.' We thought the system required sharper elbows, but apparently, his path succeeded."
In conclusion, Kisus addressed a joint enlistment photo: "There are five of us in the photo. We enlisted as a whole class from the maritime track. We accompanied him all the way, including his injury at the entrance to the airport in Beirut, which frightened us greatly. He was hit by shrapnel in an armored personnel carrier that struck his forehead. I think he still carries that souvenir from Lebanon."
