End Gaza War, return the hostages – former IDF Chief Eisenkot attacks gov’t, plans to unite opposition against Netanyahu

In his first public address since leaving the National Unity party and the Knesset, former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot on Tuesday evening identified the end of the Gaza war, the return of the hostages, and a new IDF draft law as his top priorities.

Israeli media suggests that Eisenkot plans to use these principles to unite the opposition bloc against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, possibly even by creating a joint platform with opposition leader Yair Lapid.

“Three years ago, Benny Gantz, Gideon Sa'ar and I established the National Unity party,” Eisenkot began his remarks.

“The idea was to create a unifying national connection based on an active security concept, state education, a free economy, strengthening the Israeli [military] service, mutual guarantee and unity. These principles were true then – and even more true after the huge failure on October 7,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the war in Gaza continues to this day - and in the last month alone, 20 fighters have fallen,” Eisenkot said, sharply criticizing the “cynical political behavior that undermines compulsory service and the need to strengthen the IDF.”

“At this time, there is an urgent need to end the fighting in Gaza from a position of strength - and return the kidnapped as soon as possible,” he emphasized. “The conditions were created many months ago, and the time has come for a necessary and binding decision to return them as soon as possible.”

Eisenkot explained that he left National Unity to “present a governing alternative, to bring about elections as soon as possible – and to win them.”

Meanwhile, Eisenkot’s former colleagues decided on Tuesday to return to their old party name, “Blue and White,” and to launch a new outreach campaign under the title, “Israel Moves to Consensus.”

In addition to Eisenkot, Knesset Member Matan Kahana left the party, telling the Times of Israel that he had reached out to his former party colleague, Naftali Bennett, in an attempt to mediate an alliance with Eisenkot.

According to Channel 12 News, Eisenkot plans to form a new party, but intends to run as part of the opposition bloc rather than independently.

The report added that Eisenkot wants to keep his options open for as long as possible, as new elections are currently on the horizon. The primary options he has are to join either Lapid or Bennett.

Eisenkot is reportedly expected to lead a potential joint list with Yair Lapid, likely taking the second spot behind Bennett.

On Tuesday, Eisenkot didn’t give any strong hints as to his preference of a running mate.

“I have great respect for Bennett, with whom I served in the cabinet when I was Chief of Staff – over the years, we had regular meetings. The same goes for Lapid; I hold him in high regard,” he said.

In a first poll conducted by Channel 12, a potential new party headed by Eisenkot would garner eight seats, topping both Lapid’s Yesh Atid party and Gantz’s “Blue and White,” formerly National Unity.

Another potentially dramatic scenario could ensue if Eisenkot were to head Yesh Atid with Lapid as his number two. In that scenario, Likud would drop to 26, a potential Bennett-led party would drop to 21 seats, while Yesh Atid would jump to 18.

"The Democrats" party, led by Yair Golan, would drop to nine, and Blue and White to just four seats.

“Every day since October 7, I see the fallen before my eyes, and I act under the command to be worthy of the huge sacrifice and for a shared and better future for the State of Israel,” Eisenkot, who lost his son and two nephews in the war, said on Tuesday.