Columnist advises Eisenkot to define his position more clearly — Jerusalem Post
In Israel, Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot’s strategy of restrained public conduct may be losing effectiveness during the election campaign, Jerusalem Post columnist Gil Troy believes. He writes that Eisenkot, whom the author calls Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival in the October elections, should explain his own vision more clearly in order to attract voters who are tired of Netanyahu but have not decided on an alternative.
Assessments of Likud’s support
According to polling estimates cited in the column, the Likud party may win between 18 and 24 seats. In the November 2022 elections, it won 32 mandates.
Troy links the critical attitude of some voters toward the government to the consequences of the October 7 events, the lack of an appropriate commission to investigate them, disputes over judicial reform, the rising cost of living, and the issue of service by representatives of ultra-Orthodox communities. The author also mentions an increase in murder rates among the Arab population, violence in the territories, and conflicts over democratic norms.
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Dispute over the film NAZA
The columnist criticizes the reaction of representatives of the right-wing camp to the film NAZA. In his view, the intention to strip the film’s creators of citizenship is a disproportionate step that only draws additional attention to the film and gives Israel’s critics arguments for claims about authoritarian tendencies.
Troy notes that Eisenkot’s right-wing opponents spread claims that he had allegedly not condemned NAZA. At the same time, according to him, the politician defended Israeli soldiers and officers in a social media post, calling the film a one-sided and immoral lie. Eisenkot also pointed to the difference between lawful criticism in a democratic society and discrediting the military for approval at international festivals.
In Troy’s opinion, Eisenkot should explain his views more actively while retaining the image of a moderate and reliable politician. The author also mentions Eisenkot’s vote-sharing agreement with Yair Golan, which, in his assessment, makes it easier for right-wing forces to criticize the Yashar leader over the positions of his allies.
