From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Gadi Eisenkot announces he will go it alone in next election, sets up new party
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Former Blue and White-National Unity party number two and former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot announces the establishment of a new political party called “Yashar! With Eisenkot.”
After much speculation about whether he would form his own party after quitting Benny Gantz’s National Unity party in July, Eisenkot has formed a party that “will work for repair, healing, and hope for Israeli society,” according to a statement.
“Yashar,” translates as “straight” in English.
The move comes amid some jostling and maneuvering amid opposition parties, who want to present a united front ahead of the next election, scheduled for a year from now.
The party is co-founded alongside 120 members from Israel’s tech, political, and military leadership.
Other members include former minister of religious affairs Matan Kahana, former director general of the Prime Minister’s Office Yoav Horowitz, retired major general Tal Rousso, Wix president Nir Zohar, and Shir Siegel, daughter of former hostages Aviva and Keith Siegel and an activist and advocate for the hostages.
“The establishment of Yashar! With Eisenkot is both a personal and national imperative,” says Eisenkot in a statement. “The party will place Israel’s security and national interests above all other considerations, establish a broad governing alternative, and serve as a foundation for further unity, all to ensure the State of Israel’s existence as Jewish, democratic, and strong, in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.”
He adds: “The citizens of Israel deserve leadership that serves the public with integrity and with a deep commitment to our shared future, to Israel’s prosperity as a model society in the eyes of its citizens and of the world.”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid was quick to offer his congratulations to Eiskenkot in a post on X, writing: “Together we will succeed and change the direction of the State of Israel.”
Democrats chairman Yair Golan urges the opposition parties to unite.
“Israel is at its most dangerous point, Netanyahu is leading Israeli democracy into the most serious crisis in our history. We don’t have the privilege of divisions in the democratic camp,” Golan posts on X, congratulating Eisenkot.
“Gadi, let’s unite. Win. And save Israel,” he continues.
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