World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Will Eisenkot succeed in ‘minefield of Israeli politics’ where ‘so many other generals’ have failed?
Anat Scheindlin examines former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s chances of building a coalition capable of unseating Benjamin Netanyahu, whose political resilience has repeatedly surprised opponents. She argues that Israel’s crisis runs deeper than a contest between leaders, involving democratic inclusion, national identity and the country’s long-term direction.
The opposition’s reluctance to work with Arab parties limits its options, Scheindlin says, calling this a self-imposed constraint. Israel’s old bipartisan support in Washington has also eroded, which she largely attributes to Netanyahu’s decision to tie the relationship to one US party and increasingly to one person. The likely near-term outcomes are parliamentary deadlock or a fragile minority government, amid concerns about international isolation and skilled citizens leaving the country.
In short
- Eisenkot faces obstacles in trying to build a coalition against Netanyahu.
- Opposition leaders’ reluctance to partner with Arab parties narrows their options.
- Israel’s political crisis also involves strained US ties and questions of inclusion.
Explained simply
Gadi Eisenkot is a former chief of staff of the Israeli military who has entered politics. He is seeking to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Israel’s political system requires parties to work together to form a governing coalition.
Arab parties represent a significant part of Israel’s electorate, yet many opposition politicians have been unwilling to include them in a coalition. That limits the opposition’s options, while disputes over national identity and the country’s direction run deeper than the rivalry between two leaders.
Israel’s relationship with the United States has also become less firmly supported across both main US parties. Political deadlock or a weak government could leave difficult questions unresolved, as concerns grow about Israel’s standing abroad and the departure of skilled workers.