Israel Elections: Prime Minister Hopefuls
The Facts
- Overview: Israel will hold its general election on Oct. 27, its first national vote since Nov. 1, 2022, and the first since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The vote comes as Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to extend his nearly two-decade dominance of Israeli politics, with Gadi Eisenkot leading Yashar as a principal challenger. A total of 38 parties have submitted candidate lists.
- Netanyahu's Record: Benjamin Netanyahu, 76, is Israel's longest-serving prime minister and head of the Likud party, having led the country for roughly 19 years across nearly 17 years of near-uninterrupted rule. He returned to power at the end of December 2022 at the head of the most right-wing coalition in Israel's history. He is the only prime minister since Golda Meir, who served from 1969 to 1974, set to complete a full Knesset term. He is on trial in three criminal cases over alleged bribery, fraud and breach of trust, which he denies as politically motivated.
- Eisenkot Bid: Gadi Eisenkot, 66, born in Tiberias to Moroccan immigrants, served as the military's 21st chief of staff from 2015 to 2019 and founded the Yashar party in September 2025. He entered the Knesset after the 2022 election with Benny Gantz's Blue and White party, joined the wartime cabinet after Oct. 7, 2023 and quit in June 2024. His son, Gal, was killed in northern Gaza on Dec. 7, 2023. Eisenkot has pledged a state commission of inquiry and a universal national service law covering ultra-Orthodox and Arab citizens. He has confirmed Yashar will run independently.
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The Spin
Government-critical narrative
Eisenkot is Netanyahu's strongest challenger and the clear favorite to replace him. A political novice with a nondescript platform, he has nonetheless consistently polled at or above Likud, even making inroads in traditional Likud strongholds. His unassuming style, IDF record and personal sacrifice after losing his son in Gaza have fueled his appeal, while his campaign has shown it can play hardball. Even Likud's attacks now focus heavily on him, underscoring the threat he poses to Netanyahu.
Pro-government narrative
Netanyahu indeed faces his toughest fight to retain power, with his coalition projected to fall short of the 61 seats needed for a majority. His government has been weakened by the wars since Oct. 7 and unpopular ultra-Orthodox allies, while Religious Zionism risks missing the electoral threshold. Yet Netanyahu remains formidable, with Likud still neck-and-neck with Yashar and neither side commanding a clear path to a majority. His experience, security credentials, and long tenure at the center of Israeli politics make him particularly suited to lead Israel through a period of war and regional uncertainty.
