JERUSALEM — Israel’s high-stakes election on Oct.27 pits the longest serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, against the highly decorated retired Lt.
Gen.Gadi Eisenkot.
While fairly new to politics, Eisenkot has an impressive resume that could help him become the Jewish state's next leader.According to a number of polls, Eisenkot's centrist political party, Yashar, has a narrow lead over Netanyahu's Likud.To form a government, Yashar or Likud will need to cobble together a 61-seat majority of parties to be able to form a new coalition government.TRUMP SAYS NETANYAHU NEEDS TO BE RE-ELECTED, OR ELSE US WILL HAVE TO 'FINISH THE JOB’ AGAINST IRAN ALONEGadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, speaks from behind a podium with a banner reading "Yashar with Eisenkot" during an event presenting the party's full candidate list ahead of October's general election on Sept.
7, 2026 in Rosh HaAyin, Israel.Eisenkot, a retired chief of the Israel Defense Forces, has emerged as the foremost challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Erik Marmor/Getty Images)He was born in Tiberias in Israel’s north to a Jewish-Moroccan family who relocated to Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat, on the Red Sea when he was a toddler.A career soldier, he opted to serve in the infantry.
He was part of the elite Golani Brigade and reached the zenith of the military with his 2015 appointment to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff in 2015 until 2019.Yossi Melman, one of Israel’s most respected journalists on intelligence and defense reporting, told Fox News Digital that Eisenkot, "Is 100% a soldier.He is very brave and humble.
He is an officer and gentleman."Melman noted that when Eisenkot was chosen to be the next IDF chief of staff, he declined because he felt that then General Benny Gantz should receive the appointment.Melman asked, "How many people would do that? He was selected after Gantz.
It shows his traits of modesty, honesty and not arrogant."Melman said...