Why the media can't stop fawning over Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's 'rival'? | Mehdi Hasan

The international press appears smitten with Gadi Eisenk…

The international press appears smitten with Gadi Eisenkot, Israel's former army chief and head of the newly launched Yashar party, which is currently leading in polls ahead of October's elections. But is he really the antidote to Netanyahu that the media makes him out to be?

A closer look at Eisenkot's record reveals a man who, despite his rhetoric, has largely followed the same hardline policies as the current prime minister. During his tenure as military chief, he oversaw operations that resulted in thousands of Palestinian casualties, including the 2014 Gaza war, which drew widespread international condemnation. His actions align more with the status quo than with genuine change.

Moreover, Eisenkot's political platform, while couched in terms of 'unity' and 'security,' offers little deviation from the entrenched policies that have defined Israel's approach to the conflict. He has spoken of maintaining a strong military presence in the West Bank and has not committed to a two-state solution, a cornerstone of peace negotiations. Such stances hardly position him as a transformative figure.

The media's fascination with Eisenkot seems to stem

The media's fascination with Eisenkot seems to stem more from his contrast to Netanyahu's polarizing persona than from his own merits. His military background and aura of discipline provide a comforting narrative for those seeking an alternative to the current leadership. Yet, this narrative overlooks the fact that Eisenkot's policies would likely perpetuate the same cycle of violence and occupation.

It's time to question why the press continues to present Eisenkot as a beacon of hope. By doing so, they risk sanitizing his record and ignoring the realities on the ground. The public deserves a more critical examination of what Eisenkot truly represents, rather than a simplistic caricature of him as the 'anti-Netanyahu.'