Eisenkot: Establishment of Palestinian state ‘irrelevant’ in post-Oct. 7 reality

The establishment of a Palestinian state is “irrelevant after October 7,” National Unity party MK Gadi Eisenkot, who is seen as possibly a major force in the next election, tells Channel 12.

In an interview with “Meet the Press,” the former IDF chief of staff and current centrist politician says that going forward, Israel must “certainly not talk after this murderous event about a state and a prize, but rather make our considerations from a position of strength and take our time” on the issue.

Turning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Eisenkot claims that the premier has taken a war of national consensus and turned it into a divisive conflict “that is greatly influenced by the political reality within the cabinet” — primarily because of the demands of far-right politicians like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Netanyahu is not doing “everything necessary” to free the hostages, he claims, while also failing to secure an appropriate postwar settlement or to properly leverage Jerusalem’s relationship with Washington.

“I am very disturbed by the fact that the Americans are holding direct talks with Hamas… over our heads,” withdrawing from Syria and ending their campaign in Yemen, he says, adding that “part of the American ability to drive these moves stems from the use of Israeli force, and we should have been an asset and also been given status and power.”

Asked if he would agree to join with former prime ministers Naftali Bennett or Yair Lapid for a political run in the next elections, Eisenkot indicates that he doesn’t care who the candidate to replace Netanyahu is as long as he is replaced — adding that he “will do whatever is necessary to achieve the goal.”