Arab Media Analyzes Israeli Election Race: Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot

As Israel's Knesset elections on October 27 approach, Arab media outlets are closely examining the political landscape, with a central focus on whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can retain his position and who might succeed him. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, is increasingly mentioned as a potential successor.

A September 7 Al Jazeera column by Egyptian political analyst Amr Hashem Rabie suggested that a change in Israeli leadership could align with U.S. President Donald Trump's interests, citing disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu over Gaza and Lebanon. Rabie posited that Eisenkot's victory might be a more convenient outcome for Trump, noting that Yashar's poll performance and divisions within the right-wing camp could hinder Netanyahu's coalition-building efforts and boost Eisenkot's chances.

A September 6 article in the London-based pan-Arab publication Al-Araby Al-Jadeed also centered on Netanyahu's future, observing that while Israeli society has become more right-wing since October 7, this doesn't automatically strengthen the incumbent premier. The author suggested some right-wing voters might prefer a different leader, positioning Eisenkot not as an ideological opposite but as a strong competitor within a similar political sphere, capable of effectively pursuing policies supported by a significant portion of Israeli society. The article highlighted the responsibility for the events of October 7 as a key election issue, particularly in the context of Netanyahu's rivalry with former senior military officials now in politics.

Beyond media coverage, several Arab states are reportedly engaging with figures around Eisenkot, as well as other potential prime ministerial candidates like Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, according to The Jerusalem Post. These contacts aim to understand various political strategies and positions, particularly concerning Israel's relations with Arab nations, indicating a broader preparation for different post-election scenarios rather than exclusive support for one candidate.

However, Arab media express no consensus on whether Netanyahu's defeat would fundamentally alter Israeli policy. Some commentators caution that a change in prime minister doesn't guarantee a significant shift in the approach toward Palestinians. They note Netanyahu's pre-election actions may be aimed at achieving a notable political or military success to bolster his voter support. Other analysts believe Netanyahu's main rivals are unlikely to propose entirely different security or Palestinian policies, leading Arab media to increasingly discuss potential political configurations in Israel after October 27, with Eisenkot a prominent figure but no single successor clearly favored.