Gadi Eisenkot leads Netanyahu by 8 to 10 points before Tuesday’s vote, as victory could reshape Israeli politics and strained foreign ties

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, is presented as the most serious threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hold on power ahead of Tuesday’s elections. Pre-election polls put Eisenkot 8 to 10 points ahead; a win could upend Israeli politics and reset the country’s strained foreign relations.

Eisenkot is a low-key political novice and the son of Moroccan Jewish immigrants. If elected, he could become Israel’s first prime minister of Moroccan descent. Netanyahu, by contrast, is described as the country’s longest-serving and most politically savvy leader, with a background in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit.

The two also differ in their public and political styles. Netanyahu is exceptionally articulate in English, well versed in American politics and has a vast network of U.S. contacts. Eisenkot is not an American-style politician, speaks English with a heavy Israeli accent and appears uncomfortable in the spotlight. Netanyahu’s credibility has been battered by his ongoing corruption trial and refusal to take responsibility for the failures leading to October 7, while Eisenkot is viewed as a straight shooter. The failure to prevent the attacks, in which Eisenkot lost his son and two nephews, spurred him to challenge Netanyahu.

Eisenkot is running on a center-right platform. He opposes a Palestinian state under current conditions, has pledged to crack down on Jewish terrorism in the West Bank and has promised to end Hamas’ control of Gaza within 18 months.

He supported the war against Iran and continued economic pressure, but dismissed Netanyahu’s push for regime change as unrealistic. Although President Trump ultimately endorsed Netanyahu, Eisenkot avoided criticizing him. In a post on X, he wrote that he was convinced Trump would work in full cooperation with whichever leader the Israeli people elect.