From war cabinet to political rivals: Inside Gadi Eisenkot's direct challenge to Netanyahu

The next Israeli general election is scheduled for October 27, 2026, as the first nationwide vote since the Hamas attacks of October 2023 and resulting region-wide conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. As Israel elects political parties to fill the seats of the 120-member Knesset, there are a number of prominent politicians who are challenging Benjamin Netanyahu as the country's longest-standing prime minister.

How does Israeli voting work?

A majority of 61 members in the 120-member Knesset is required to establish the government.

Proportional representation: Seats are awarded to parties exclusively on the basis of their share of the national vote.

Electoral threshold: A minimum threshold of 3.25% of votes for a party is needed for entry into the Knesset, with all votes received below this level by parties being discarded.

Rule of coalitions: Notably, not a single party in Israel's history has achieved such a 61-seat majority, and thus post-vote negotiations on forming the government through a coalition are an essential component of the process.

The main challengers to Netanyahu

1. Gadi Eisenkot — Yashar

Ex-chief of staff of IDF Gadi Eisenkot leads Yashar ("Honest"), a center party emphasizing security pragmatism and state governance.

Background: Spent 41 years in the armed forces serving as the 21st Chief of Staff of the IDF between 2015 to 2019 and joined the emergency War Cabinet following October 2023.

Platform: Puts forward the principle of focusing on rescue operations of hostages rather than a broad definition of "total victory," promotes universal conscription into the military and is against two-state solution and insists on the dual character of the state being Jewish and democratic at the same time.

2. Naftali Bennett & Yair Lapid — B'Yachad ("Together")

Two former prime ministers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid created an electoral alliance combining right-wing security politicians and center-liberals.

Background: In 2021-2022 the leaders co-headed the coalition government.

Platform: Emphasises "reforms first" approach including economic issues related to cost-of-living reduction, education reform, and border security alongside civil equality.

3. Itamar Ben-Gvir — Otzma Yehudit

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir leads the ultra-nationalist Otzma Yehudit ("Jewish Power") party running independently of Netanyahu's Likud.

Main plank: Emphasis on stringent anti-terror measures, sovereignty of Jews over the holiest places, civilian armament and the voluntary movement of Palestinians out of Gaza.

4. Bezalel Smotrich – Religious Zionist Party (RZP)

The incumbent Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich heads this radical religious nationalist group.

Main plank: Advocate for the expansion of the settlements, formal annexation of West Bank regions, judicial reform and application of religious law to public administration.

5. Yair Golan – The Democrats

The former Major General Yair Golan heads The Democrats – this is a consolidated party formed by joining the traditional left-wing parties Labour and Meretz.

Main plank: Blend of military expertise and social democratic ideology calling for judicial independence, civil rights, state investment and open political dialogue with Arab-Israelis.

6. Avigdor Lieberman – Yisrael Beiteinu

The Former Defense and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is the leader of the secular right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu, popular among Russian speaking Israelis.

Main plank: Hawks on military issues regarding Gaza and West Bank territories coupled with complete secularism opposing ultra-orthodox coalition prerogatives and draft exemptions.