Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot Condemns Current Israeli Government Laws and Political Alliances

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot sharply criticized the current Israeli government in a Wednesday interview with Channel 13 news. He declared that all laws passed by this government will be annulled and condemned lawmakers who he said prevented the IDF from strengthening itself, calling it a breach of trust and complete irresponsibility. Eisenkot specifically attacked the recently approved law freezing the detention of IDF deserters, noting that some coalition leaders boast about having grandchildren who are deserters, which he called absurd.

Eisenkot also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership style, accusing him of employing a divisive "divide and conquer" approach. Reflecting on the previous political partnership between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Eisenkot described their alliance as mistaken but acknowledged them as partners in victory. He expressed his goal of forming the largest possible political bloc and advocated for the leader of the largest party to be the bloc’s candidate for prime minister.

Regarding future political cooperation, Eisenkot set clear conditions: any partner must recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, uphold the values of the Declaration of Independence, and support mandatory IDF service. He also drew a firm line concerning the Shin Bet head, David Zini, stating that any security chief who claims personal loyalty to him rather than to the state would be immediately dismissed.

On the issue of Palestinian territories, Eisenkot supported settlement expansion only if it aligns with Israel’s strategic interests and legal frameworks. He warned that annexing Palestinians into Israel would pose a severe threat to the Zionist project. Eisenkot concluded the interview by expressing pride in his Moroccan heritage and his parents’ immigration story.