Gadi Eizenkot Urges Bennett and Lieberman to Back Largest Party to Replace Netanyahu

With 76 days remaining until Israel's elections, Gadi Eizenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party, which is rising in the polls, emphasized in a "Sheva" interview that political games around the prime minister candidate must end. He insisted that the leader of the largest party in the bloc should be the prime minister candidate, reflecting the public's will and democratic principles. Eizenkot warned that if Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman do not commit to this principle, it risks enabling Benjamin Netanyahu to remain in power despite losing the election.

Eizenkot criticized the idea of a prime minister with only six to ten Knesset seats, calling it a mistake that endangers the government's replacement. He dismissed Lieberman's claim that he is unfit to be prime minister, citing his military and political experience, including his role in founding the Mossad's "Tzeltzel" unit that tracked terror financing. He called for investigating the unit's closure in 2018, which he described as a reckless decision.

On policy, Eizenkot outlined plans to reform education by unifying Israel's diverse school systems into a single state system within four years, including integrating the Haredi education system. Regarding Haredi military conscription, he proposed canceling the 77-year exemption agreement and establishing a management body to decide who serves, while rewarding those who enlist and sanctioning draft dodgers. He rejected claims that his plan allows too many exemptions.

Eizenkot also addressed security issues, opposing any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before dismantling Hamas's military capabilities and calling for a tough de-radicalization and rehabilitation process. He challenged Netanyahu and Likud ministers to disclose voting records on Gaza policies, accusing them of misinformation. He supports forming a broad coalition government but said a minority government might be a last resort to remove Netanyahu.

Regarding Qatar, Eizenkot dismissed Bennett's call to declare it an enemy as a political gimmick but stressed the need for a thorough investigation into terror financing linked to Qatar. He confirmed ongoing talks with Bennett about cooperating to defeat Netanyahu and expressed confidence that Bennett and Lieberman will support the largest party's leader as prime minister. Eizenkot also addressed personal attacks on his family, affirming pride in his children's achievements and urging opponents not to use them politically.

Summary: Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the rising Yisrael party, calls on Bennett and Lieberman to support the largest party's leader as prime minister to prevent Netanyahu's return. He outlines education and conscription reforms, demands investigation into terror financing, and stresses security measures in Gaza. Eizenkot rejects personal attacks and insists on democratic principles guiding coalition formation ahead of Israel's elections in 76 days.