Netanyahu's opponents in the Israel election: Together for a new beginning?

Netanyahu's Opponents Together for a New Beginning? As of: October 26, 2026 • 10:41 a.m

Israel votes tomorrow. Then it will be decided whether the country will keep its prime minister. Or whether the “anti-Netanyahu alliance” wins. But the candidates' different ideas could become a problem.

The big appearance is actually not Gadi Eisenkot's thing. But sometimes you need it if you want to become Israel's next prime minister. Across the country, Eisenkot looks down statesmanlikely from election posters. And over the past few months, his campaign team has repeatedly organized appointments for him in large halls - in parts of Israel where many of Benjamin Netanyahu's regular voters actually live.

Eisenkot's military past doesn't hurt either: the anthem of the Israeli army's Golani Brigade was repeatedly played during his election campaign appearances. He used to be their commander. He later became Chief of General Staff, Israel's top soldier.

Eisenkot is considered the inventor of the “Dahiyah Doctrine,” which he himself once described as the “use of disproportionate force” by the army. This concept was used in Lebanon and, in the eyes of military experts, was also a model for Israel's warfare in the Gaza Strip. His military past qualifies him to be prime minister in the eyes of many Israelis who vote for him.

Gadi Eisenkot was Israel's top soldier. Now he wants to be the next prime minister.

And at the same time, many see him as a kind of “anti-Netanyahu.” He called his party “Yashar,” which means straightforward, sincere, honest. He once said that responsibility and personal example are not a luxury, but a must for a leader. There are still fundamental challenges for Israel and a lot of work. He believes that change is urgently needed. And Israel needs a Zionist, true, worthy and honest leadership.

What is striking is that this election campaign by those who are challenging long-term Prime Minister Netanyahu is less about concrete content and more about a counterproposal. Someone like Eisenkot, who is not considered by many to be a particularly good speaker or particularly charismatic, can also score points.

Netanyahu's challenger Eisenkot wants to overcome the social divide. Who is the ex-military man? more

Netanyahu's opponents have recently primarily tried to eliminate issues that could be dangerous to them. As a precaution, Eisenkot has already ruled out an alliance with Arab-Israeli parties because that is not very popular among his electorate.

And Naftali Bennett, also a potential coalition partner in the "anti-Netanyahu alliance", said on the Israeli television channel Channel 12 with regard to the two-state solution: "I will not allow a Palestinian state to emerge. I will not give back any territories. Period." He wants to build good economic relations in the region. A few years ago, Bennett had already managed to forge an alliance against Netanyahu.

Naftali Bennett is also a potential coalition partner in the “anti-Netanyahu alliance.”

Yair Golan leads the Democrats, a social-Zionist liberal party. He sets a somewhat different tone: He was also a high-ranking general in the Israeli army. He is considered one of the heroes of the October 7 Hamas raid because he drove to the Gaza border that morning to fight terrorists. Netanyahu, however, recently publicly claimed that he had not been woken up in the morning. Otherwise the terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip would have turned out differently. This also shows the differences.

Yair Golan is one of the few to speak of a two-state solution: "Two states for two nations living peacefully next to each other. I see no other or better option. No annexation. We are heading towards separation from the Palestinians. And we must do this safely, without jeopardizing the security of Israel's citizens."

Yair Golan advocates a two-state solution.

Observers doubt whether such a position can prevail. The alliance of Netanyahu's challengers and his right-wing extremist and ultra-religious partners is too heterogeneous.

The latest surveys do not provide a clear picture either. Although the bloc of Netanyahu's opponents was ahead almost everywhere, it does not have a majority in the Knesset. If things turn out as predicted, the alliance may have to rely on a pact with the Arab Ra'am Party. She stands for pragmatic politics and has already helped Netanyahu's opponents gain a majority in 2021.

But that was more than five years ago. After October 7th, it seems like an eternity. Netanyahu is campaigning across the country with the slogan “Right or Palestine.” In the end, a necessary cooperation with an Arab party could become a test for Netanyahu's opponents and make it more difficult to form a new government.

Israel before the parliamentary election: Who supports Netanyahu? Pia Steckelbach, ARD Tel Aviv, Weltspiegel, Das Erste, October 25, 2026 • 6:30 p.m. Israel elections Netanyahu This topic in the program: HR-inforadio | News | Oct 26, 2026 | 7:15 a.m