Gadi Eizenkot Questions Ofer Winter's Suitability as Defense Minister Amid Sharp Reactions

Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF Chief of Staff and current chairman of the Yisrael party, stated in a Wednesday interview that Ofer Winter, chairman of the Emach Israel party, is a "good field commander" but "unsuitable to be defense minister in my government." Eizenkot explained to Channel 13 that Winter, a retired brigadier general, lacks the necessary experience because he "was not in the army's strategic command."

Winter responded by criticizing Eizenkot's strategic judgment, referencing Eizenkot's tenure and appointments such as Yair Golan, Aharon Haliva, and Herzl Halevi. Winter said, "If that is the meaning of the strategic command you speak of, I am proud not to have been part of it." Notably, Golan was already a general when Eizenkot became Chief of Staff, while Haliva was promoted only after Eizenkot retired. During his term, Eizenkot blocked Winter's promotion to division commander in two rounds of senior IDF appointments. Conversely, former Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi later appointed Winter as commander of the Fire Formation.

Former minister Matan Kahana, a party colleague of Eizenkot, also weighed in, reminding Winter that six months after Eizenkot's departure, a warning was issued that funds transferred to Gaza were reaching Hamas's military wing and were not stopped. Kahana noted Winter continued serving in the IDF for five years after Eizenkot left and was part of the system Winter now calls "the conception" during the October 7, 2023 attacks. Kahana concluded by highlighting Winter's contradictory stance toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom Winter once said "must go," yet now seeks to serve under as defense minister, calling on Winter to "first examine yourself."

Winter's Emach Israel party is expected to align with Netanyahu's bloc if it passes the electoral threshold. The exchange underscores deep divisions within Israel's defense and political leadership ahead of the upcoming elections.