Eisenkot Emerges as Netanyahu's Main Challenger Before Israel's October 27 Vote

Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief of staff and top general, has emerged as the main opponent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's election, which is scheduled for October 27, 2026. The New York Times has published a video explaining who he is and why he matters to the race.

Israel's campaign has been dominated by a contest between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, according to the New York Times. Eisenkot leads the Yashar party. On Sunday he held his final campaign rally before the vote.

Polling has tightened the race. A Channel 12 poll put Eisenkot's party first with 23 seats in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, and Netanyahu's Likud with 21, as CNN reported. A separate poll reported by the Jerusalem Post gave Yashar 22 seats and Likud 19, with a party led by Bennett placing third on 14. Reuters reported that opinion polls ahead of the vote point to deadlock, and that for months polls had predicted Netanyahu's coalition would lose its majority. The coalition is made up of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, according to Reuters.

Eisenkot's positions have drawn attention from Palestinians and others watching the vote. He has rejected Palestinian statehood and has promised to curb settler violence, according to a New York Times analysis. Netanyahu, the incumbent prime minister, has led Likud through this campaign.

Voters appear to have made up their minds. Polls suggest fewer than 10 percent of Israelis are undecided, as the BBC reported.