Eight challenges facing Gadi Eisencott in Israel

Gadi Eizenkot, former chief of the Israeli Army, has given a big challenge to Binyamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has been Israel's Prime Minister for most of the last three decades.

The support of at least 61 lawmakers is required to form a government in Israel's 120-member parliament. A total of 67 MPs from six political parties are said to be supporting Aisenkot.

Amid efforts to form a new government in Israel, Arab political parties have decided to support former military chief Gadi Eisencott. President Isaac Herzog has also invited him to form a government.

Gadi Aizencott will now have 28 days to try to form a new government, including a possible extension of 14 days.

Eisencott is a former commander of the Israeli Army and entered politics in the year 2022.

He also joined Netanyahu's war cabinet after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, but later became a critic of Netanyahu.

He became a member of the Israeli Parliament from the National Unity Party. Later he left the party. He said that he had ideological differences with the party.

Last year, he separated from prominent opposition leaders and formed his own centrist party 'Yashar'. 'Yashar' means 'straight' or 'honest'.

Aizencott, who lost his son and two nephews in the Gaza war, had emphasized his military and security background during the election campaign.

But many of the issues he raised in the elections can become challenges for him. Take a look at some of the potential challenges they may face -

1. Coalition government

In Israel's elections, caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and its far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies won 53 seats in the 120-seat parliament.

While Eisencott's centrist Yashar party and the three other Jewish opposition parties in their alliance got 48 seats.

To run a government this way, Aizencott would need the support of Arab parties. In the political picture of Israel, it will not be easy to run a government which is based on the support of Arab parties, because Arab parties can put brakes on many of its promises and old stance.

Whereas Aizencott is new in politics and it will not be easy for him to find a solution to the complex political situation.

2. Israel's security

As Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has often presented himself as the country's savior.

Netanyahu has always described Iran as the biggest threat to Jewish rule (Israel).

On February 28, 2026, Israel and America jointly attacked Iran. After these attacks, the situation in the Middle East has worsened and there has been a great concern about security in this region.

There has been no agreement between America and Iran in this conflict so far, so the alleged threat to Israel that Netanyahu has been talking about still persists.

Aizencott will face a major challenge in dealing with the Iran issue.

3. Impact of US midterm elections

Israel may also be affected by President Donald Trump's Republican Party in the midterm elections held in America.

In these elections, the Republican Party has lost its majority in both houses of the US Congress.

Many people believe that the biggest reason for this bad performance of Trump's party was the Iran war.

Iran has also raised the issue many times that America is at war with Israel and the burden is being put on the Americans.

If America changes its stance regarding the Iran war in the changed circumstances after the elections, it may affect the sense of security in Israel.

In this way, not only Israel's political equation but also America's actions located hundreds of kilometers away from it can become a challenge for Eisencott.

4. Contest against Netanyahu

In recent years, Netanyahu has been surrounded by corruption allegations. He denies these allegations.

His handling of the October 7, 2023 attacks has also been criticized. Apart from this, his controversial plan to make major changes in the judiciary had led to major protests in the country.

But Netanyahu is a master player in Israeli politics and will remain a challenge to Eisencott.

An hour before President Herzog's decision was announced, Caretaker Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned that 'a possible coalition between opposition parties and Arab parties will lead to the collapse of the country.'

"Such a government linked to Islamists will tear Israel apart from within, as is happening in European countries, and could lead to an even worse situation," Netanyahu said in a video message, according to BBC Persian.

That is, even before forming a possible government, Netanyahu has started giving a message to the people about the future of Israel.

5. Israel's relations with the world

During the tenure of Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel has taken major action after the Hamas attack in Israeli areas on October 7, 2023.

During this period, many innocent people have also been killed in Israeli action.

Israeli military action has been criticized by many countries of the world and its relations with many countries have also deteriorated.

6. Expectations of Arab parties

Arab parties have pledged support to their government, so these parties may have their own expectations regarding the rights of Arab citizens and their own issues, especially in Israel.

These may also include demands for budget for ease of construction of new houses in Arab-dominated areas, security and other facilities in Arab-dominated towns.

It will not be easy for Israel to work on a new plan and budget amid the war with Iran and the ongoing conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah.

7. Israeli campaign in Gaza

Eisencott's stance shows that he is not very different from Netanyahu in his policies on issues like Palestine, Gaza, the West Bank and Hamas.

But Arab parties may demand that the Israeli military operation in Gaza be stopped and if Eisencott takes any decision regarding Hamas or Gaza, then his other right-wing allies may stand against it.

Also, with any such step, Netanyahu may become active and Aizencott's government may face danger.

8. Reconciliation with ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties

Ultra-Orthodox parties may be adamant that they should be exempted from military conscription, while Eisencott's own policies differ on this.