Gadi Eisenkot Declares Prime Ministerial Ambitions, Calls for Netanyahu's Departure

Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the 'Yashar!' party, announced his intention to run for Prime Minister at a major election event on Sunday. Addressing thousands of supporters, Eisenkot pledged to establish a state commission of inquiry on his first day in office, create a national cabinet to combat crime within a week, and begin legislating a universal service law. He also set a clear security objective: to dismantle Hamas's control in Gaza within 18 months.

Eisenkot directed a significant portion of his speech to right-wing voters, particularly those who have supported the Likud party. He argued that the Likud has strayed from its path and urged voters to trust him for change, stating, "Deep down, you also know that Israel cannot continue like this. Israel needs change." He emphasized that for him to become the next Prime Minister, the 'Yashar!' party must significantly outperform the Likud in the upcoming elections.

He warned against complacency, cautioning that Netanyahu would resort to any extreme measure to remain in power and that change is not guaranteed. Eisenkot urged every supporter to remain active until the polls close on election day, stressing that the responsibility for achieving change rests on each individual. He criticized the current government as a "government of draft dodgers," contrasting it with his vision of "Zionism, service, and unity."