Shirael Chogeg’s Past Criticism Contrasts With Joining Gadi Eizenkot’s Party

Shirael Chogeg, a leading figure in the post-October 7th civilian protest movement, recently announced his decision to join the political party led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot. However, a review of Chogeg’s past statements reveals a stark contradiction. In a January podcast on Ynet, Chogeg sharply criticized the entire senior military and security leadership preceding the October 7 attack, holding them responsible for the security failure. He specifically blamed the Qatari financial transfers to Gaza as a key factor in Hamas’s strengthening, a policy that Eizenkot had supported and promoted during his tenure as Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019.

Chogeg, a businessman and former CEO of the AM:PM chain as well as a founder of the "Komu" civic movement, had declared that he would only enter politics if he believed he could bring genuine and new change to the system. His past remarks directly accused senior officials in the army, government, and Shin Bet of bearing responsibility for the October 7 disaster. Meanwhile, Eizenkot defended the Qatari cash transfers in private talks with Gaza border local leaders, arguing that the funds helped stabilize southern Israel’s security by preventing a quicker escalation, framing it as a security decision rather than a form of protection money.

This political alliance between Chogeg and Eizenkot highlights a significant tension between Chogeg’s previous public condemnation of the military leadership and his current partnership with the very figure who authorized the controversial policy he once blamed for the tragedy. The development adds complexity to the upcoming 2026 elections and the discourse surrounding accountability for the October 7 massacre.