Gadi Eisenkot Cautioned: Leftist Support May Prove Fleeting
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot is currently receiving significant embrace from the Israeli left, not necessarily out of admiration for his leadership, but due to a political calculation. The left views Eisenkot, a respected former military chief and a Mizrahi (of Middle Eastern or North African descent) figure, as a potential asset to attract votes from the periphery. However, the article warns that this support has an expiration date and could quickly turn into betrayal if Eisenkot fails to deliver the expected political gains.
The author argues that the left is currently using Eisenkot as a "product" rather than recognizing him as a leader. They present him as proof of their supposed shedding of elitism and detachment, highlighting his Mizrahi background and perceived ability to connect with voters the "disconnected white elite" can no longer reach. This embrace, however, is superficial and avoids confronting the historical prejudice against Mizrahi and traditional voters.
This political strategy, the article contends, has a history within Israeli politics. Figures like Amir Peretz, Avi Gabbay, Shaul Mofaz, and Avi Ashkenazi were similarly embraced by the left for their perceived ability to deliver votes or enhance their political brand, only to be discarded when they ceased to be useful. The left, according to the piece, does not aim to build leaders but rather to "hire faces" for specific missions.
The piece suggests that the media has already turned Eisenkot's Moroccan heritage into a marketing tool, contrasting this with past derogatory terms used for Likud voters. This newfound "love" for Mizrahim is framed as a pragmatic desire for a Mizrahi figure who can help the left regain power, rather than genuine affection or a commitment to diversity. Eisenkot is seen as a potential "Mizrahi paint layer" for the old elite, expected to project an image of populism without transferring real power.
The author concludes by warning Eisenkot that those cheering him today will be the first to betray him if his political endeavors falter. The left's discourse on diversity and equality is presented as hollow, with Mizrahim viewed as symbols or tools for vote acquisition. If Eisenkot becomes inconvenient or fails to meet expectations, he will be blamed and replaced by another Mizrahi figure, revealing the left's true focus on what he can do for them, rather than who he is.
