Ex-IDF Chief Eisenkot Calls for Renewed US-Israel Partnership

Following Israel's parliamentary elections and the US midterms, former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has advocated for a renewed partnership between the two nations. Eisenkot, whose centrist Jaschar party secured 21 seats in the Knesset, stated on the platform X that Israel will continue to be one of America's most reliable and capable strategic partners in the Middle East, a mutually beneficial relationship for both peoples. This comes as Israeli President Isaac Herzog engages in coalition-building talks with various parties after last week's close election resulted in no clear victor. Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party won 27 of the 120 available seats. Eisenkot asserted on X that the Israeli public voted for change and to replace the current government. He emphasized that the bond between Israel and the United States transcends governmental alliances, representing a partnership between their populations. Eisenkot expressed his commitment to forming a new government, stating, "Under my leadership, we will renew and deepen this partnership, strengthen the bipartisan foundations that have long supported it, and work with our allies toward a Middle East characterized not just by the absence of conflict, but by opportunity and cooperation." This call for strengthened ties follows US President Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday of ending billions in aid to Israel by year's end. Trump claimed he and Netanyahu agreed that Israel no longer requires the approximately $4 billion in subsidies. Eisenkot sharply criticized this move.