The quiet return of Eisenkot may be more dangerous than anything happening in Israel right now?

Gadi Eisenkot is emerging as a potential challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu, but his record and positions on Palestine, settlements and military strategy reveal significant areas of continuity with Israel’s established security policies. The former Israeli army chief opposes Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, supports settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, and advocates what he calls separation from Palestinians while Israel retains control over the territory. Eisenkot is also associated with the Dahiya Doctrine, which he has called for implementing in Lebanon. His record includes his time in Netanyahu’s emergency government during the Gaza war and his tenure as army chief during the 2018 Gaza border protests. Now seeking to build political support, Eisenkot’s positions are central to the debate over Israel’s future leadership and its approach to Palestinians and neighbouring countries.