Israel Election 2026: Netanyahu Faces Gadi Eisenkot and Other Political Rivals
Israel’s upcoming parliamentary election is set to feature Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against several prominent political rivals, including former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Gadi Eisenkot, former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Golan.
According to Israeli media reports, the campaign is centred on national security, military service, democratic institutions and the country’s future diplomatic relationships.
Netanyahu Highlights Security and Military Record
Netanyahu has presented himself as the candidate best positioned to protect Israel’s security and manage its international relations. His Likud party has highlighted military operations against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran as central elements of its campaign.
However, critics have pointed to the October 7 attack as a major security failure that occurred during his leadership. The attack and the questions surrounding Israel’s security preparedness remain important issues in the political debate, according to Israeli media outlet i24 News.
Gadi Eisenkot Emerges as a Key Challenger
Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as one of the main figures challenging Netanyahu. His newly formed Yashar party combines a strong focus on national security with promises to rebuild public trust and strengthen democratic institutions.
Eisenkot’s campaign seeks to address security concerns while responding to public demands for greater confidence in the country’s political leadership.
Bennett and Lapid Join Forces
Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have joined forces under the Beyachad party, an alliance intended to appeal to voters across right-wing and centrist political groups.
Their platform places emphasis on national security, bringing ultra-Orthodox men into military service and the workforce, supporting military reservists, and reforming Israel’s constitutional framework.
The alliance represents an effort to bring together voters with different political backgrounds around shared policy priorities.
Lieberman Focuses on Security and Secular Policies
Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party combines a firm security position with an emphasis on secular governance.
Although the party has traditionally attracted support from immigrants from the former Soviet Union, it is also seeking to reach a wider electorate. Its key positions include compulsory military service for all and reducing the influence of religious institutions over public affairs.
Yair Golan Advocates a Diplomatic Approach
Yair Golan’s Democratic Party has taken a different approach to several regional and domestic issues. The party opposes annexation, supports a diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and advocates cooperation with moderate partners across the region, i24 News reported.
These positions place diplomacy and regional engagement among the party’s central policy priorities.
Opposition Parties Consider Possible Post-Election Arrangements
As the election approaches, Netanyahu’s opponents are reportedly examining potential arrangements for forming a government after the vote.
A report by The Jerusalem Post said parties in the anti-Netanyahu bloc were considering the possibility of a minority government, despite opposition from Lieberman and Bennett. The report also described emerging agreement among several parties on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before a coalition agreement is finalised.
The discussions highlight the challenges opposition parties could face in negotiating a common political arrangement.
With security, military service, democratic reform and regional diplomacy among the leading campaign issues, the election is expected to be an important test of Israel’s political direction. The final parliamentary balance will determine the options available to parties seeking to form the next government.