Son of Moroccan immigrants, Gadi Eisenkot attacks Benjamin Netanyahu where it hurts

At 66, Gadi Eisenkot has established himself among the Israeli prime minister’s most serious opponents. His Yashar party is gaining ground in the polls, and his Moroccan origins could enable him to penetrate part of the electorate historically favorable to Netanyahu.

On Bladi.net : article 120279

This was noted by Reuters at the end of June. The agency describes Eisenkot as the son of Moroccan immigrants and observes that he is gaining ground among Mizrahim, Jews originating from the Middle East and North Africa, who have long constituted an important base of Netanyahu’s support.

Former chief of staff of the Israeli army between 2015 and 2019, Eisenkot cultivates an image different from that of his rival. His son Gal Meir, aged 25, was killed in Gaza in December 2023. Two of his nephews also died during the war.

Mizrahi voters become a key battleground

The battle has become serious enough for Netanyahu’s camp to attack Eisenkot directly. In June, publications by the Likud and a close adviser to the prime minister notably mocked his level of English. Eisenkot denounced a “racist” attack. Times of Israel recalled his Moroccan origins and his rise in the polls on that occasion.

Sky News Arabia thus reports a Channel 12 poll giving Eisenkot 43% against 34% for Netanyahu in a head-to-head matchup on the choice of prime minister. His Yashar party won 23 seats compared with 22 for the Likud.

On Bladi.net : article 114390

The danger for Netanyahu therefore lies not only in the rise of a new rival. Eisenkot is also beginning to gain ground among a Mizrahi electorate that the Likud has managed to retain for decades. His Moroccan origins now give him an additional foothold from which to try to fracture this electoral base.