Netanyahu and Eisenkot spar over Palestinian statehood as Israeli election looms
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot are trading accusations over support for a Palestinian state ahead of Israel's upcoming election.
As Israel approaches its election, the question of a Palestinian state has become a focal point of the campaign between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu has portrayed Eisenkot as a pro-statehood candidate, sharing a video of himself shaking hands with the late Yasser Arafat and claiming Eisenkot would establish a Palestinian state. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, has consistently rejected the notion, posting on X that no Palestinian state would be created under his government and promising to draft ultra-Orthodox youths.
He has also accused Netanyahu of weakness toward Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, labeling the prime minister as "the king of draws." The two have exchanged barbs on social media, each presenting the election as a binary choice between a "draft-evader" administration and a "Zionist" enlistment government. Their rhetoric underscores broader tensions over military conscription, security policy and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Why it matters
The clash highlights how the Palestinian state question is shaping Israel's pivotal election and future security policies.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Netanyahu urges fragmented right-wing parties to merge ahead of October election
- Sep 24 The electoral commission has acted on two Arab party lists.
- Sep 24 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that the international community must accelerate the US-backed Gaza peace plan and prevent a repeat of the 1948 displacement.
- Sep 24 The United States denied visas to Abbas and other Palestinian officials for a second consecutive year, forcing a video address to the UN.
- Sep 27 Netanyahu publicly urged right‑wing parties to merge ahead of the election.
- Oct 2 The Central Elections Committee voted 18-5 to bar the United Arab List and the Joint List from the ballot.
- Oct 2 Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy following the court's indication it may approve a disqualification petition.
- Oct 6 The United Nations Secretary‑General called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
- Oct 6 Opposition leaders met to outline a coordinated electoral strategy.
- Oct 6 Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a heightened state of readiness for Israeli forces in Gaza and warned of severe retaliation if troops are harmed.
- Oct 7 President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal lit a memorial candle at the President’s Residence at 6:29 a.m., opening the October 7 remembrance ceremony.
- Oct 7 Israel placed its security forces at maximum readiness on the anniversary, citing possible new Hamas attacks.
- Oct 7 Families of victims rallied across Israel demanding an inquiry into the October 7 response.
- Oct 7 A civilian‑led memorial ceremony was held at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
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