Eizenkot outlines plan to replace Netanyahu in Israel — Jerusalem Post
In Israel, Yashar party leader and former Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Gadi Eizenkot said he seeks to form a government after the October elections and replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, he outlined conditions for a future coalition, approaches to security, and plans to investigate the events of October 7, 2023.
According to a Channel 12 poll cited by the publication, Yashar could win 23 seats in the Knesset, Likud 20, and Naftali Bennett's Beyachad party 13. When asked who is better suited to serve as prime minister, Eizenkot led Netanyahu by 41% to 38%, although this difference is within the poll's stated margin of error.
Investigation into the events of October 7
Eizenkot rejected versions suggesting treason ahead of Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023. At the same time, he said there had been serious negligence, overconfidence, disregard, and a lack of professionalism, first in the military and then in the country's political leadership.
One of his priorities if he comes to power, he said, would be establishing an official state commission to investigate the authorities' actions over the past decade. During the war in Gaza, Eizenkot lost his son Gal as well as two nephews, who were killed in combat at different times.
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Coalition and security priorities
The Yashar leader said he does not consider the Arab parties Ra'am and the Joint List as potential coalition partners. According to him, parties that recognize Israel as a Jewish democratic state, the values of the Declaration of Independence, the duty to serve, and consider Hamas a terrorist organization that must be eliminated may join the government.
Eizenkot expects that the opposition bloc, which he said includes Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, will be able to win 63–64 mandates. He also ruled out a rotation model for the post of head of government and believes that the leader of the coalition's largest party should be the candidate for prime minister.
Eizenkot named Iran as the greatest external threat. He expressed concern over Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium and the possibility of accelerating its nuclear program. The politician also said there is a need to strengthen relations with the United States, maintain peace with Egypt and Jordan, and improve Israel's international standing.
Among domestic priorities, Eizenkot named universal service obligations, including the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews. He proposes limiting exemptions from military service for Haredim to 3% of the annual draft pool. The politician also said that those who do not study in the state education system will not receive state funding.
