Gadi Eizenkot speaks at the launch of his party's election campaign in June. Credit: Ariel Schalit / AP The former IDF chief, who lost his son and two nephews in Gaza, has built a centrist platform around security, national service and opposition to Netanyahu – and is now polling as his main rivalJuly 14, 2026Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as something of a dark horse in Israel's 2026 election campaign, with his newly formed Yashar party overtaking both Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and the opposition alliance Together, led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, in recent polls.In the NewsU.S., Iran Exchange Fire for 12th Night in a Row; Houthis Target Saudi Tankers'Liars, Poison': Shin Bet Chief Shared His Anti-media Manifesto With Top AgentsTrump Wants a Lebanon Triumph. Israel Is Losing Its Seat at the TablePolice Let Over 1,000 Jews to Pray Across Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa on Tisha B'AvJudge Justifies Jewish Terror. Israel Must Act on West Bank Settler ViolenceRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Most Optimistic Israeli in Jerusalem Is Leaving the CountryAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightThe Original Ozempic Society of Ancient RomeBetween Messi and Milei: How Argentina Became Israel's Team at the World CupDemocrats Rejected U.S. Aid to Israel, and AIPAC Couldn't Stop Them'Choose Hope': Natalie Portman Backs Arab-Jewish Party Ahead of Israeli Election