Eisenkot vows unity as Netanyahu calls him soft on Iran ahead of Israel's election

Summary

Israeli opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot has vowed to unite Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu portrays him as soft on Iran, with the two running neck and neck in the polls ahead of a consequential election. The Hindu reports that a ban on new polling took effect in the three days before the October 27 vote. France 24 reports that Eisenkot, at his final campaign rally before polling begins Tuesday, pledged on Sunday to "heal" Israeli society after Netanyahu's divisive tenure, and that Netanyahu received fresh backing for re-election from US President Donald Trump while deeming Eisenkot "soft" on Iran.

Timeline

1. The Japan Times

   26 Oct 2026, 02:33 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that Eisenkot vows unity as Netanyahu paints him as soft on Iran, and that polls have shown the two neck and neck as Israel heads into a consequential election.

2. The Hindu

   26 Oct 2026, 03:33 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that polls had shown Netanyahu and Eisenkot running neck and neck before a ban on new polling took effect in the three days before the October 27 vote.

3. NDTV

   26 Oct 2026, 05:49 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that Gadi Eisenkot vows to unite Israel as Benjamin Netanyahu brands him soft on Iran, and that polls had shown the two running neck and neck.

4. France 24

   26 Oct 2026, 16:58 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Eisenkot pledged on Sunday to "heal" Israeli society at his final rally before polling, that Netanyahu deemed him "soft" on Iran, and that Netanyahu received fresh backing for re-election from Donald Trump.