Netanyahu's main rival accuses him of putting politics over security
Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander and rival to Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused the Prime Minister of prioritizing political survival over national security. As Israel approaches elections, Eisenkot's party is gaining momentum by calling for national unity and a shift in leadership.
Why it matters
The political instability in Israel, exacerbated by the ongoing war and internal divisions, could lead to a significant shift in government leadership and policy direction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, accused him Monday of prioritizing his political survival over Israel’s security, sharpening his criticism of the leader ahead of the country’s elections.
Unveiling the candidates of the Yashar party for the Oct. 27 election, the former military commander said nothing about how he would handle the Palestinian question or the wars against Iran and Lebanon launched by Netanyahu, but accused him of ducking responsibility in the nearly three years since the Hamas attack.
A relative newcomer to politics, his party Yashar (Hebrew for "Upright"), founded a year ago, has surged in the polls in recent months, with many voters seeing him as a viable candidate to replace Netanyahu, due to his military background.
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