האיחוד שפגע באיזנקוט - והחשד כלפי לפיד: "סחט את בנט" | בן כספית

Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF Chief of Staff and minister, is reportedly close to a significant political achievement, aiming to widen the gap between his party and the Likud. However, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, are warning against internal conflict within the bloc that could siphon votes. Parties are intensifying their ground campaigns as election day approaches, with concerns about potential violence and challenges to the results looming.

Eisenkot's political journey began with a significant announcement on July 1, 2025, where he declared his departure from Benny Gantz's National Unity party. This move was deeply personal, occurring shortly after a hospital planned to name a ward after his son, Golan, who fell in Gaza, and his comrade Eyal Berkowitz. Eisenkot's speech, delivered from the heart, was characterized by its sincerity rather than polished delivery. He spoke of the need to be worthy of the fallen soldiers without explicitly mentioning his son, emphasizing his profound patriotism and integrity, contrasting him with Benjamin Netanyahu.

Initially, Eisenkot focused on building his own party, proposing a union of the bloc's leaders (Bennett, Lapid, and Lieberman) under a single "governing party" structure, with leadership to be decided later. Bennett's refusal to join this union and his subsequent alliance with Yair Lapid is seen by some as a major political misstep. Eisenkot was reportedly hurt by this, suspecting Lapid of pressuring Bennett, a claim denied by Lapid's associates. This union, however, led to a significant shift in polls, with Eisenkot surpassing Bennett, who had been struggling with his political fortunes.

Despite a resurgence in Bennett's campaign in recent weeks, Eisenkot continues to lead in the polls, with elections scheduled for the following week. This has sparked a debate within the bloc: Eisenkot's camp believes a decisive victory over the Likud is crucial to delegitimize Netanyahu and prevent him from clinging to power through unconventional means. Conversely, Bennett and Lieberman argue that campaigns focused on becoming the largest party have historically failed, advocating for each party to mobilize its own supporters and focus on undecided voters, as a close race benefits Netanyahu.

The article urges all leaders of the change bloc to set aside personal ambitions and aspirations for leadership until after the elections. The goal, it states, is to ensure the change bloc significantly outperforms the 'evasion bloc,' with a unified front presenting a single candidate post-election. Ground activity is reportedly strong, with Eisenkot filling auditoriums in Likud strongholds and Bennett actively campaigning. Lieberman is targeting specific demographics, while Yair Golan is working to rally the remaining left-wing voters and appeal to the Arab public. The piece also expresses hope that Police Commissioner Dani Levy understands the historical significance of his role in ensuring public order and the integrity of the elections.