Former Army Chief Emerges as Netanyahu's Top Rival

According to the latest polls, former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces Gadi Eisenkot is emerging as one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main challengers ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

His new party, Yashar, is currently in second place behind Likud, but analysts note that Eisenkot himself might have a better chance of forming a governing coalition.

His popularity stems from his reputation as an experienced military commander and his image as a politician operating outside traditional party structures. It has also been shaped by personal tragedy: he lost a son and two nephews in the Gaza War.

On security issues, however, he takes a hard line. He became famous for the so-called Dahiyeh doctrine, which calls for massive and disproportionate strikes against areas used by militant groups, including civilian infrastructure.

He criticizes the ceasefire in Lebanon as well as the government's stance toward the US, while also rejecting calls for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Elections are scheduled to take place by the end of October at the latest.

(Reuters, MJA)