66-year-old Eisenkot, who founded the Yashar Party in which he participated in the elections in 2025 and promised a "government of change", stands out in the elections as the fiercest rival of Netanyahu, who served as prime minister of Israel for 17 years in different periods.
Although polls conducted in Israel show Eisenkot's party, which is participating in the elections for the first time, ahead of Netanyahu's party Likud, neither leader can reach the 61 seats required to form a government in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament.
In Israel, the new government and prime minister will be determined by the alliances formed in the parliament.
Military career of Eisenkot of Moroccan origin
Born in Tiberias in 1960 to a Jewish family of Moroccan origin, Eisenkot grew up in Eilat, a city in southern Israel.
Eisenkot, whose father was from Marrakech, Morocco, and whose mother was from Casablanca, joined the Israeli army's Golani Brigade in 1978.
Eisenkot, who started his military career in the 13th Infantry Battalion, was later promoted to brigade commander.
Eisenkot, who served as the military secretary of two prime ministers during his military life, served as the occupied West Bank Division Commander during the 2nd Intifada.
Eisenkot, who also served as Head of the Operations Department of the Israeli army, Northern Regional Command and Deputy Chief of General Staff, became Chief of General Staff in 2015 and served in this position until 2019.
Eisenkot is remembered for the Genius Doctrine
Eisenkot is remembered for the "Genius Doctrine", which envisages the use of disproportionate military force against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to the Yashar Party's website, Eisenkot developed the Genius Doctrine in 2006, while serving as the Northern Regional Commander and Head of the Operations Department during the Lebanon War.
The Dahiye Doctrine, which means an indiscriminate attack for Israel's interests, is based on expanding the use of military force against infrastructure in conflicts with Hezbollah, going beyond direct military targets.
During his time as Chief of General Staff, Eisenkot oversaw the implementation of the multi-year "Gideon Plan", which aimed to strengthen the land, air, sea, intelligence and cyber capacity of the Israeli army.
Transition from military to politics
After retiring from the army, Eisenkot assumed the chairmanship of the David Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, which "operates in the field of preserving the legacy of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, and developing the Negev region." He also held various positions in the private sector.
Eisenkot was elected as a member of the Israeli Parliament for the 25th term in 2022.
Eisenkot, a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, warned in August 2023 that Israel's deterrence and regional position were weakened due to the government's policies and the deep division in society.
After October 7, 2023, Eisenkot joined the Israeli War Cabinet as a minister to participate in the management of the genocide carried out by Israel against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The former Israeli soldier took part in determining the targets of Israeli attacks, such as "bringing back Israeli prisoners and eliminating Hamas and Hezbollah."
Eisenkot's son, Gal, died on December 7, 2023, in clashes with Palestinian groups in Jibaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
His nephews Yogev Bazi and Maor Cohen-Eisenkot were also killed in clashes in the Gaza Strip.
Power struggle against Netanyahu
Eisenkot founded the Yashar Party with the aim of running for prime minister against Netanyahu in 2025.
Presenting himself as an alternative to power, Yashar aims to "preserve Israel as a democratic, secure and strong Jewish state" in line with the principles he describes as "the spirit of the Declaration of Independence".
Presenting himself as a "candidate for change", Eisenkot's background highlights the control of the Israeli army and his membership in the War Cabinet during the genocide in Gaza.
While the election race between Eisenkot and Netanyahu focuses on who will head the government, the statements in the resume published by the Yashar Party do not contain an attitude that indicates a radical change in Israel's military approach towards the Palestinians.
