Bennett’s Political Gambit Backfires as Eisenkot Surges in Poll Numbers

Naftali Bennett’s attempt to manoeuvre around Benjamin Netanyahu has collapsed spectacularly, according to the latest polling data. A Maariv survey shows Gideon Eisenkot, the former military chief of staff, now commanding significantly more parliamentary seats than Bennett, fundamentally reshaping the potential coalition landscape. The poll suggests Eisenkot would be in a stronger position to lead a government formation, effectively sidelining Bennett’s political ambitions despite his attempts to outmanoeuvre the former prime minister.

Bennett’s strategy had centred on forming a united bloc with Yair Lapid, hoping to fundamentally alter the rules of Israeli politics and create a viable alternative to Netanyahu’s dominance. However, the polling figures suggest this alliance has backfired. Rather than consolidating right-wing and centrist forces into a formidable challenger, the partnership appears to have inadvertently accelerated Eisenkot’s emergence as a credible alternative political leader.

The results represent a significant setback for Bennett, who has been seeking to establish himself as a serious contender for high office. Eisenkot, drawing on his extensive military experience and perceived distance from the Netanyahu era, appears to be attracting voters who might have otherwise looked to Bennett as an alternative. The former defence force commander has built considerable credibility among those seeking a fresh political direction, while Bennett’s alliance strategy has failed to produce the breakthrough he anticipated.

The timing is significant for Israeli politics, suggesting that voter appetite for alternative leadership extends beyond the traditional power bases. Eisenkot’s rise indicates that the electorate may be looking for figures with unimpeachable security credentials and a clean break from recent political divisions, characteristics that Bennett’s latest gambit has apparently failed to secure.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.