How Gadi Eisenkot's snub of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef redefines Israeli politics

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has redefined Israeli politics by rejecting a potential endorsement from Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas party. In the 1990s, such a blessing would have been a significant political asset, but today, it is seen as a liability due to shifting voter priorities. Yosef, who called Eisenkot "a good person, a warm Jew," even suggested Shas could support him as prime minister, while criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, "Netanyahu cheated us on the conscription law. He cannot be trusted; he's a liar." However, Eisenkot publicly distanced himself from Yosef's remarks, emphasizing that he had not met him in a decade and was "not flirting" with haredi parties. This stance reflects a profound change in Israeli politics, where issues like haredi conscription now take precedence over diplomatic concerns for many voters. Eisenkot's strategy is to maintain maximum flexibility by not ruling out any potential coalition partners who accept his three core principles: recognition of Israel as a Jewish nation-state, adherence to the Declaration of Independence, and acceptance of military or national service obligations.