Critics Accuse Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot of Political Deception in Bid for Shas Party Support

Gadi Eisenkot, former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, faces sharp criticism for what political commentator Yaakov Bardugo describes as a cynical and deceptive campaign to align with the Shas party. Bardugo, speaking on Channel 14, labeled Eisenkot a serious political failure who promotes dangerous security concepts and accused him of abandoning his roots to gain political dominance. Eisenkot’s recent outreach to Shas follows earlier public attacks on ultra-Orthodox party leaders, which Bardugo calls a calculated media manipulation supported by left-leaning outlets like Ynet and Channel 12.

Bardugo argues Eisenkot tries to present himself as a traditional leader who understands the religious public, yet his career reflects a rejection of his background in favor of acceptance by Israel’s old elite. In security matters, Eisenkot’s legacy is also questioned. He championed a small, technologically focused military doctrine, which Bardugo says failed during the October 7 attacks, particularly criticizing Eisenkot’s dismissal of the tunnel threat and the government’s abandonment of the southern front amid internal disputes.

The commentator warns the Israeli public to be wary of Eisenkot’s media-protected image, which he claims is maintained by the deep state apparatus that has shielded Eisenkot since the Harpaz affair. Eisenkot’s harsh responses to journalists exposing his record are seen as attempts to prevent his political mask from being torn away, revealing a gap between his official image and the controversial reality he represents. This critique comes amid Eisenkot’s ongoing efforts to establish a political foothold, raising questions about his true intentions and the implications for Israel’s security and political landscape.