Gadi Eisenkot Challenges Netanyahu in a Knife-Edge Race Ahead of Israel’s Tuesday Election

Summary

Israelis vote on Tuesday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led them for much of the last two decades, and Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief who has been in politics for less than four years. The New York Times reports that Eisenkot, who is leading in the polls, calls the prime minister an “anti-leader,” but that his low-key campaigning style is worrying some of his supporters. The Straits Times describes him as reserved, media-shy and a relative newcomer to politics who presents a clear contrast to Netanyahu, whom he aims to defeat. The Financial Times describes the 66-year-old head of the centrist Yashar party as being in a knife-edge race to oust the premier. RTÉ frames the vote as a choice between the two men and presents Eisenkot as Israel’s “not Netanyahu” candidate.

Timeline

1. New York Times

   23 Oct 2026, 04:01 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that Gadi Eisenkot, an ex-military chief leading in the polls, calls the Israeli prime minister an “anti-leader,” while his low-key campaigning style is worrying supporters.

2. RTÉ

   23 Oct 2026, 05:00 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that on Tuesday Israelis choose between a prime minister who has led them for much of the last two decades and a former army chief who has been in politics for less than four years, Gadi Eisenkot.

3. RTÉ

   23 Oct 2026, 05:00 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ’s analysis reports that the coming Tuesday election pits a prime minister who has led Israel for much of the last two decades against a former army chief who has been in politics for less than four years, Gadi Eisenkot.

4. The Straits Times

   23 Oct 2026, 07:06 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Eisenkot, a reserved, media-shy former military chief and relative newcomer to politics, presents a clear contrast to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he aims to defeat in next week’s election.

5. Financial Times

   24 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that the grizzled 66-year-old who heads the centrist Yashar party is in a knife-edge race to oust the premier, Netanyahu.