Israeli Politicsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Yair Lapid Says Netanyahu’s Associates Lost, As Netanyahu Faces Trial And Possible Prison
“Eisenkot tells me he will not serve in a unity government with Netanyahu under any circumstances.”
“Netanyahu could finish second in Tuesday’s national election behind retired military chief Gadi Eisenkot but still return to lead a unity government”
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Lapid says two Netanyahu associates lost the election, signaling Netanyahu will lose. Polls show Netanyahu bloc short of 61 seats, with opposition led by Eisenkot.
Netanyahu, elections, and aides
Yair Lapid said on Monday that two close associates of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost last night's election, adding, "as he will lose tomorrow." Gideon Sa'ar said he meant Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro when he referred to "two of Israel's great friends" who, in his view, are "nothing but close associates of Netanyahu." Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges, including bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and could land in prison if convicted.
“Yair Lapid: Two close associates of Netanyahu lost the election and he will lose tomorrow.”
The Likud coalition with far right and ultra-Orthodox parties might not secure a sufficient majority, and it identified Gadi Eisenkot, 66, as Netanyahu's main electoral rival. Eisenkot became a member of the Knesset in 2022 for the National Unity Party, left it citing ideological differences, and later formed Yeshar.
Iran dispute and election integrity
Channel 12 reported on Sunday evening, October 25, that a dispute between Netanyahu and the Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir over directives for a military operation could lead to a confrontation with Iran ahead of the elections. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz denied on Monday morning that there was any dispute with the army, confirming there was no intention to mount a preemptive Israeli strike on Iran before the elections, and that any military response would be tied to being attacked. Eisenkot resigned from the war cabinet in June 2024, blaming Netanyahu for not acting quickly enough to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, and it quoted Eisenkot saying, "During his term, women and children were abducted, and he deliberately refrained".
Netanyahu expressed concern about activity by far-left groups and asked to give them special attention, despite the head of the Central Election Committee judge Noam Solberg allowing discussion of public-order issues only. The police are preparing to deploy more than 20,000 police officers and thousands of guards, while stressing there is no specific alert of an imminent attack on polling stations.
Unity talks and what could change
Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges, including bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and could land in prison if convicted. Netanyahu could face difficulties in staying in power after the elections on Tuesday, October 27, and it framed the contest around Eisenkot's challenge to Netanyahu's handling of the October 7 attacks. The opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot faces a contradiction, because it seems capable of commanding a majority in the 120-member Knesset only with support of Arab parties while several leaders have promised not to rely on them.
Netanyahu could finish second in Tuesday's national election behind retired military chief Gadi Eisenkot but still return to lead a unity government alongside the man who vowed to replace him. The election could leave Israel divided even if Netanyahu returns, as it described a path where he could lead a unity government with Eisenkot.