Netanyahu mocked his rival – now he may lose
The election comes six months after he was accused of mocking his rival’s son—who died during a military operation.
According to polls released on Friday ahead of Israel’s election this Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu looks set to struggle to retain power.
A poll by the Israeli newspaper *Haaretz* shows Netanyahu’s coalition holding 50 out of 120 seats, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot holds 56. The poll also indicates that Netanyahu’s party, Likud, is being overtaken by Eisenkot’s party, Yashar—22 seats to 20.
The opposition party occupies the political center.
Mocked for his ethnicity
Compared to his opponent, Eisenkot is a newcomer to politics. He began his career in the Israeli army in 1978 and spent 40 years rising through the ranks.
He concluded his military career in 2022 as a Lieutenant General in the IDF—the country’s highest military position. A little over a year ago, he launched his own party.
Eisenkot, 66, was born to Moroccan parents and is a Mizrahi Jew—a term for Jews with origins in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
If he wins, he will become the first Mizrahi Prime Minister in the country’s history. He has been mocked for his ethnicity and was even called a "monkey" on a popular television program, reports CNN.
Netanyahu criticized the statement. However, the election campaigns have not been entirely clean.
“Monstrous video”
Eisenkot’s youngest son died at the age of 25 while serving in the military during a hostage-rescue operation, just a few months into the war.
In July, Netanyahu posted an AI-generated video on X in which Eisenkot is depicted running through a summer meadow; he dodges a hug from a young man, choosing instead to embrace Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab party Ra’am.
The video sparked an outcry, as it was perceived to depict Eisenkot’s deceased son.
“Look again at this terrible and monstrous video concerning the grieving father, Eisenkot. Did you really publish this?” wrote Avi Benyahu, a former IDF spokesperson. Netanyahu dismissed the criticism as conspiracy theories.
Three possible outcomes
Following the election, Israel could face a protracted process of government formation.
“Our polling suggests that neither bloc is likely to secure an outright majority, leaving three possible outcomes: a unity government in which Netanyahu collaborates with more liberal parties, an alternative coalition supported by Arab parties, or yet another election,” expert Dr. Nimrod Nir told The Independent.
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