Eisenkot vows unity as Israel prepares for closely contested election

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot pledged to unite the country at his final major campaign rally Sunday, two days before voters choose a new 120-member Knesset in an election expected to produce difficult coalition negotiations.

Eisenkot, a former military chief who leads the liberal Yashar party, told hundreds of supporters that his government would work for all Israelis, including those who did not vote for him. He also promised a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and emphasized security, economic policy and accountability.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has portrayed Eisenkot as weak on Iran and emphasized his own security record. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Truth Social, calling him an “outstanding Warrior Prime Minister” and citing the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

Polls published before a three-day pre-election blackout showed Netanyahu and Eisenkot closely matched, with neither political bloc projected to secure the 61 seats required to govern. One mid-October survey put Netanyahu-aligned parties at 49 seats, anti-Netanyahu parties at 54 and Arab parties at 13. About 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote Tuesday.

Eisenkot has also emphasized his Moroccan Jewish heritage while seeking support in traditional Likud strongholds such as Sderot. His campaign has used the Moroccan Arabic phrase “Dialna,” meaning “of our own,” as it appeals to Mizrahi voters. Netanyahu condemned a pro-Netanyahu commentator who used a racist insult against Eisenkot during the campaign.