Gadi Eizenkot Courts Likud Voters Amid Party Primaries in Kiryat Malakhi

As Likud party members headed to the polls this week to select a new candidate list, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot made a notable appearance in Kiryat Malakhi, a stronghold of the party. His visit coincided with the day of the Likud primaries, where he aimed to persuade loyal supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back him instead. Eizenkot directly challenged Netanyahu's claim that only he could ensure security, referencing the events of October 7 as evidence to the contrary. This move highlights internal competition within Likud ahead of the 2026 elections, with Eizenkot positioning himself as a viable alternative to Netanyahu's leadership.