Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot Criticizes Netanyahu’s Leadership and Political Tactics
Gadi Eisenkot, former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and current chairman of the Yisrael party, delivered a sharp critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth National Security Conference on Monday. Eisenkot condemned Netanyahu for surrounding himself with "sick minds" who propagate a culture of lies, citing a controversial AI video posted on Netanyahu’s accounts that falsely suggested the appearance of his late son Gal, who was killed in Gaza. Eisenkot warned that such tactics could sink to new lows, referencing the exposure of sensitive intelligence sources in Gaza by the Bild newspaper.
Eisenkot also addressed recurring false narratives used by Netanyahu against his political opponents since the era of Yitzhak Rabin, including claims that only the right wing can ensure security, that Netanyahu would not cooperate with Arab parties, and that he would never establish a Palestinian state. Eisenkot pointed out Netanyahu’s own past statements supporting a Palestinian state, highlighting the contradiction. He accused Netanyahu of fostering a long-standing culture of deception in Israel, which blurs the lines between truth and falsehood for Israeli citizens.
Responding to criticism about his political inexperience, Eisenkot emphasized his 41 years of military service, including 30 years in government cabinets and eight months as a minister. He criticized opposition leaders like Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Lapid for their coalition roles and insisted that the largest party in a bloc should lead it. Eisenkot set a clear red line for any future coalition, refusing to join any government that does not recognize Israel as a Jewish, democratic, and liberal state or that opposes mandatory national service.
Eisenkot expressed concern over deteriorating security in the West Bank, blaming Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, and Itamar Ben-Gvir for dismantling Israeli control and enabling lawlessness by transferring authority to these figures. He warned against dismantling the Palestinian Authority and taking direct responsibility for 2.8 million Palestinians, calling such ideas "crazy." Eisenkot reiterated his stance against a Palestinian state but stressed the need to separate terror from the civilian population, contrasting this with Netanyahu’s "ostrich policy." He cited his own experience leading counterterrorism efforts in the West Bank in 2004 as proof of his approach’s effectiveness.
