Gadi Eisenkot’s New Party Faces Questions Over Netanyahu Stance and Political Message

Gadi Eisenkot’s new political party, Yashar, aims to position itself as a fresh option for centrist voters, emphasizing statesmanship, responsibility, integrity, and unity. However, as Israel’s elections approach, significant uncertainties remain regarding the party’s political stance, candidate list, and core message. A key unresolved issue is whether Eisenkot would join a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite Eisenkot’s sharp criticism of the current government’s handling of the October 7 failures, Yashar has not officially ruled out sitting with Netanyahu. This question gained personal resonance when Eisenkot’s daughter publicly stated she would not welcome him home if he joined a Netanyahu-led government, sparking social media debate about his political flexibility.

Yashar’s candidate list is still forming, including figures from security, economics, and social sectors such as Matan Kahana, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Shaul Meridor, and others. Some names active in party events have yet to appear on the official list, suggesting ongoing negotiations or strategic candidate reveals. Many candidates come from the government bureaucracy, which has faced criticism for its role during the judicial reform turmoil and the Iron Swords conflict.

Meanwhile, right-wing criticism of Eisenkot continues. Media personality Yaakov Bardugo recently claimed that if a state commission investigates pre-October 7 failures, retired General Yitzhak Brick’s anticipated testimony could damage Eisenkot’s public standing and prevent him from becoming prime minister. Bardugo’s remarks reflect political opposition rather than official findings.

Yashar’s campaign heavily promotes values like statesmanship, responsibility, integrity, unity, and hope, but it has yet to articulate a clear, distinctive political message that sets it apart from other centrist parties. While Likud focuses on security, Yisrael Beiteinu on conscription, and Yesh Atid on the middle class, Yashar’s defining issue remains unclear. Eisenkot’s main challenge is not only to prove his reliability as a leader but also to explain why his party represents a genuine new political alternative.