TV Host Predicts Gadi Eisenkot Could Replace Netanyahu

TV host Eliraz Sade of i24 News has made a dramatic prediction regarding the upcoming elections, suggesting that Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, could potentially enter a government under Benjamin Netanyahu if Netanyahu fails to secure a majority of 61 seats and agrees to form a coalition without ultra-Orthodox parties. This statement comes amidst Eisenkot's repeated assertions that he will not sit with Netanyahu and that the Prime Minister should resign.

In a recent interview on 103FM, Eisenkot sharply criticized Netanyahu, framing the election as a choice between "political illusion" and "people who offer policy with honesty and integrity." He accused Netanyahu of viewing honesty as weakness and manipulation as a survival tool, a tactic he believes is being employed in the current election campaign. Eisenkot also condemned the actions of Netanyahu's family, stating, "Netanyahu's success is the disaster of the State of Israel." He alleged that Netanyahu "lies at every turn" and fosters a "betrayal theory," which he believes undermines public trust in state institutions, while acknowledging "deep negligence" rather than actual betrayal in the events leading up to the October 7th attacks.

Furthermore, Eisenkot revealed that it took him nine days to convince the cabinet and Netanyahu to include the return of hostages as a war objective following the October 7th massacre. Sade also questioned whether Netanyahu had "politically eliminated" opposition leader Yair Lapid.