Politics brief
Eisenkot Surges and Right-Wing Fault Lines Widen
Benny Gantz's withdrawal galvanizes the opposition behind Gadi Eisenkot, while bitter conscription fights fracture Likud's traditional base one week before voting.
Politics
Gantz's exit ended centrist vote-splitting — handing Eisenkot the momentum to push Netanyahu's bloc far below a governing majority.
BackgroundIsrael goes to the polls on October 27 in an election dominated by post-war governance and military service equity. Gantz and Eisenkot, both former military chiefs of staff, previously led a shared centrist bloc before splitting over electoral strategy.
- Surveys project Eisenkot's Yashar faction taking 23 to 24 Knesset seats, opening a clear polling lead over Netanyahu's Likud at 19 to 21 seats.
- Eisenkot widened his lead over Netanyahu on prime ministerial suitability to 45% versus 33%, capturing crucial support from undecided centrist voters.
- Netanyahu's right-wing governing bloc stalled at 51 projected seats, leaving him well short of the 61-seat threshold required to form a new cabinet.
Politics
Netanyahu is openly defying court conscription rulings — sacrificing broader public goodwill to prevent ultra-Orthodox parties from bolting his bloc.
BackgroundThe High Court of Justice struck down blanket military draft exemptions for Haredi seminary students in 2024, mandating universal call-up notices. The ruling triggered rolling protests and political paralysis, pitting military manpower shortages against ultra-Orthodox theological identity.
- Netanyahu declared on ultra-Orthodox radio that detaining draft evaders disrupted voluntary enlistment efforts, drawing fierce blowback from military reserve organizations.
- United Torah Judaism and Shas insisted they will sign no coalition agreement without an ironclad statutory exemption passed before government formation.
- The prime minister's promise alienated mainstream secular and nationalist right-wing voters who carry heavy, extended reserve duty burdens.
Politics
Hanegbi's defection strips Likud of veteran security credibility — opening a channel for hawkish right-wing voters to migrate to Liberman.
BackgroundTzachi Hanegbi served as Netanyahu's National Security Adviser through 2025 and has been a cornerstone of Likud leadership for three decades. His departure reflects growing resistance among national-security figures to coalition compromises with ultra-Orthodox and religious-nationalist factions.
- Hanegbi condemned the government for capitulating to messianic politicians and attacking state judicial and security institutions during an ongoing conflict.
- The former national security chief denounced coalition plans to grant blanket military service exemptions to yeshiva scholars while reservists face repeated call-ups.
- The endorsement strengthens Liberman's positioning as the preferred home for hawkish, secular right-wing voters disillusioned with Likud's political concessions.
Politics
Reservist candidates are drawing hard lines on conscription — making any math for a broad post-election coalition nearly impossible to balance.
BackgroundReservists-Economic is a newly formed political faction built by demobilized military reservists and economic reformers advocating shared civic burdens. Months of extended active reserve duty have generated deep public resentment against demographic groups exempt from service.
- The proposed ₪6 billion package increases frontline soldier stipends by ₪2,000 per month and provides preferential mortgage subsidies to active reservists.
- Hendel sharply criticized both Netanyahu and opposition figures for compromising on enlistment targets to court religious parties ahead of next week's vote.
- The party demands strict civil and financial penalties against all draft-age citizens who refuse mandatory call-up orders, including passport restrictions.
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