Ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot Challenges Right-Wing Activist Mordechai David Over Military Service

Former IDF Chief of Staff and current chairman of the Yashar party, Gadi Eizenkot, encountered far-right activist Mordechai David at Metzitzim Beach in Tel Aviv on August 7, 2026. David confronted Eizenkot, accusing him of wanting to surrender and agreeing to a deal "at any cost" shortly after the October 7 massacre. Eizenkot responded firmly, stating he only cooperates with those who have served in the IDF and told David, "You have not served in the army, go serve and then come back to me."

Mordechai David, a convicted criminal, has been involved in multiple incidents over recent months targeting public figures, political activists, and journalists. In January, he blocked the car of former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, calling him derogatory names and accusing him of dictatorship. Shortly after, David and Likud activist Rami Ben Yehuda were suspected of trespassing at journalist Lucy Aharish's home. David also obstructed vehicles of journalist Guy Peleg, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Knesset member Gilad Kariv from the Democratic Party.

David's harassment tactics have extended to threatening activists at their homes. Left-wing activist Sigal Shokron's family reported that David came to their door wielding a crowbar and harassed her, prompting a police complaint for trespassing and violence. Shokron expressed fear that this might be the beginning of ongoing harassment, highlighting a troubling societal trend in Israel today and lamenting the support some give to such behavior.

This confrontation adds to a series of recent incidents reflecting escalating tensions between political activists and public figures in Israel, with Eizenkot emphasizing military service as a criterion for political legitimacy and cooperation.