Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot Faces Sharp Political Criticism Over War Conduct and Leadership Suitability

Former IDF Chief of Staff and Yesh Atid party chairman Gadi Eisenkot has come under intense political attack following a recent interview he gave. Media personality Yaakov Bardugo opened his radio program on Galei Yisrael with a harsh monologue criticizing Eisenkot's political and personal conduct since the outbreak of the war, questioning his fitness to lead the country. Bardugo highlighted Eisenkot's controversial remarks in the interview, including calling Lebanon a "political graveyard for prime ministers" and recalling Eisenkot's past statement about "closing the deal in Rafah." Bardugo also condemned Eisenkot's language toward political figures, citing his reference to Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as "that calf" and labeling Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Channel 14 as "clowns," questioning whether such rhetoric is appropriate for a prime ministerial candidate.

Bardugo directly challenged Eisenkot's criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct during the early days of the war, accusing Eisenkot himself of hysteria on October 11 and blaming him for blocking the expansion of the war cabinet after October 7. According to Bardugo, Eisenkot opposed bringing Gideon Sa'ar and Avigdor Lieberman into the coalition and fought to keep the war cabinet limited.

The program concluded with Bardugo referencing the upcoming testimony of retired General Yitzhak Brick, who has sharply criticized Eisenkot's performance over the years. Bardugo quoted Brick as saying that once a state commission of inquiry is established and Brick testifies, Eisenkot "simply will not be able to be prime minister." This escalating political controversy reflects deep divisions over Eisenkot's wartime leadership and his political future.