Analyst Urges Gadi Eisenkot to Offer Palestinian Peace Overture

Columnist Gershon Baskin argues that upcoming Israeli and Palestinian elections in October and November 2026 present a unique opportunity for a diplomatic shift. He believes that if the Palestinians elect leaders genuinely committed to peace, Israel should be prepared to engage with them.

Baskin expresses hope that Gadi Eisenkot will become Israel's next prime minister but is concerned by Eisenkot's reluctance to commit to a different approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than that of Benjamin Netanyahu since 2009. The columnist contends that the October 7th trauma, while significant, has led Israeli politics to move sharply rightward, focusing on military strength and suspicion of Palestinian intentions, making discussions of a Palestinian state taboo.

Despite the political climate, Baskin asserts that the Palestinian aspiration for self-determination, fueled by decades of failed negotiations and conflict, persists and has become even more central. He notes that the international community, including over 100 countries, continues to publicly support a two-state solution.

Baskin posits that Eisenkot, known for his responsibility and sober judgment, should understand that the conflict cannot be indefinitely managed but must be resolved. He highlights the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections on November 28, 2026, where new political lists, representing a generation that has never voted nationally, are competing.

Baskin proposes a single, simple statement for an Israeli leader like Eisenkot to make: "If the Palestinian people elect leaders who are truly committed to genuine peace between the Palestinian people and the people of Israel, they will find a partner for peace in Israel." This statement, he argues, would not pre-commit to a Palestinian state or specific negotiation outcomes but would signal to Palestinians that their political choices have consequences and could potentially shift the dynamic towards diplomacy, both domestically and internationally.