Eisenkot challenges Netanyahu in Israeli election

Israel is heading into a general election on October 27, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot emerging as the principal challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot's new party, Yashar, is polling slightly ahead of Netanyahu's Israel — Likud, with 23 projected seats to Israel — Likud's 22. The election is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Eisenkot's campaign focuses on security, national unity, and democratic reforms, including a state commission of inquiry into the attack and universal national service. He has criticized Netanyahu's coalition for advancing legislation exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service. Eisenkot, a former chief of staff, is viewed as a credible alternative by both right-wing and centrist voters.