Ex-IDF Chief Eisenkot Reveals Offer to Replace Netanyahu as Prime Minister

In a dramatic speech at the Herzliya Conference, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot disclosed that about a month after the outbreak of the recent war, coalition members approached him with a proposal to lead a constructive no-confidence move and briefly serve as Prime Minister to stabilize Israel. Although the effort failed, Eisenkot concluded that replacing the current government, which he called the worst since Israel's founding, is a public duty.

Eisenkot sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of governing through lies and fear, particularly regarding the Iranian nuclear threat and the operation in Rafah. He claimed Netanyahu is politically constrained by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, preventing him from converting military achievements into political gains. Eisenkot held Netanyahu fully responsible for his government's failures.

Regarding the northern front, Eisenkot revealed that the defense establishment had prepared an extensive offensive plan against Hezbollah, with the recent siren drills being only "the tip of the iceberg." He said Netanyahu chose not to implement the plan, allowing the U.S. to impose a ceasefire arrangement on Israel. Eisenkot warned that any future agreement must include strict security arrangements and Hezbollah's disarmament, similar to the Chinese model, to avoid prolonged guerrilla warfare.

The revelations come amid a tight political race between Netanyahu's Likud and Eisenkot's newly formed Yashar! party. Recent polls show Yashar! with 20 seats and Likud leading with 23; a political union under Eisenkot could boost his bloc to 37 seats. The political battle intensified recently when Yashar! filed a petition against the Religious Zionist Party to remove a campaign ad, prompting a sharp response from Smotrich, who accused Eisenkot of fear over exposing the truth about the left-wing government he plans to form.

Eisenkot's speech adds to growing criticism from security officials about the current government's leadership amid ongoing political and security challenges in Israel.