No. 3: Gadi Eisenkot: Israel’s next prime minister?

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party and former IDF chief of staff, has emerged as a leading opposition candidate for prime minister ahead of Israel's October 27 election. Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 and joined a unity government after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which personally affected him with the loss of his son and two nephews. He launched Yashar in September 2025, advocating for a centrist platform focused on "repairing, healing, and hope for Israeli society."

• Eisenkot vows to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures.
• He supports a "realistic plan" for drafting ultra-Orthodox individuals into the IDF.
• His support has surged in recent polls, positioning him as a strong contender to lead a post-election government.
• Eisenkot has expressed willingness to form a government with both opposition and current coalition parties.

He stated in a March interview, "I believe in myself, I know the kind of leadership that I bring, and I see myself as a very strong candidate." If successful, Eisenkot would be Israel's first Mizrahi prime minister.