Iran State Media Labels Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot A 'War Criminal'

Iran's state-run English television channel, Press TV, has published an extensive profile of Gadi Eisenkot, a Member of Knesset and former IDF Chief of Staff. The report, which analyzes Eisenkot's military background, his rising poll numbers leading the "Yash" party, and his political stances, labels him a "ruthless military hawk" and accuses him of "atrocious crimes."

The Iranian report focuses on Eisenkot's alleged role as an architect of the "Dahiya Doctrine," which Press TV defines as the "use of destructive and disproportionate force against civilian infrastructure as a tool for deterrence." The channel claims this doctrine is a blatant violation of international law, citing its application in Lebanon and Gaza.

Press TV also acknowledges Eisenkot's personal losses during the "Swords of Iron" war, including the death of his son Gal Meir and two nephews, noting this has given him "enormous political capital" in Israel. The report contrasts this with the sons of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

While detailing Eisenkot's party and opposition alliances aimed at unseating Netanyahu, the core message from Press TV is that all Zionist candidates represent the same threat to Iran and its allies. The channel suggests Eisenkot might be even more extreme in his stance towards Iran than Netanyahu.

Simah Shine, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and former head of research at Mossad, explained that Iran's detailed focus on Israeli political figures is not accidental but stems from a rigid worldview. "The Iranians demonstrate impressive knowledge of every fluctuation in the Israeli political system," Shine told Walla. "However, from the perspective of the leadership in Tehran, it makes no difference who sits in the Prime Minister's office, Netanyahu, Eisenkot, or any other leader. In their view, all Israeli leaders are aggressive Zionist enemies adhering to the same strategy of confronting Iran and its proxies."

Shine added that Iran's focus on Eisenkot and the "Dahiya Doctrine" serves a clear propaganda purpose. "The very fact that a general considered relatively state-minded and moderate in Israel is described by them as a cruel war criminal is intended to prove to their audience that there is no 'peace camp' in Israel and no partner for any agreement, only a succession of military commanders advocating for the destruction of the resistance axis."