Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing a major political test this fall. After three years of war and growing public frustration, a former military chief is emerging as an unlikely challenger, offering voters a different vision for the country’s leadership. We look at how an outsider with deep security credentials is tapping into a desire for change — and what his rise could mean for Netanyahu’s political future.
In Israel, a strong challenger for political change
Byadmin
Jul 23, 2026
Gadi Eisenkot, former Israeli military Chief of Staff and leader of the centrist party Yashar ("Straight"), speaks at the Drom HaSharon Regional Council in Israel during the launch of his party's election campaign Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)