Gadi Eisenkot, the calm leader who lost his son in the offensive against Hamas

Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, emerges as a consensus candidate for leadership in Israel, characterized by his Mizrahi heritage and calm demeanor. Despite lacking the charisma of rivals like Netanyahu and Bennett, he has gained traction in polls as a potential prime minister. Eisenkot's political journey includes forming his own party, Yashar, after leaving the emergency cabinet due to disagreements over Netanyahu's war decisions. His background and personal losses in conflict resonate with voters, particularly among Mizrahi communities traditionally loyal to Likud. As he campaigns, he emphasizes unity over division, positioning himself as a stabilizing force in a turbulent political landscape.