Israel's Netanyahu faces election challenge from hawkish ex-general

Key Points:

• Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, known for his "Dahiyeh doctrine" of using disproportionate force, is gaining popularity and could potentially replace Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister in the upcoming election.
• Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected to come second to Netanyahu's Likud in parliamentary seats but may have a better chance of forming a coalition across Israel's political spectrum.
• Despite his hawkish stance on security and criticism of Netanyahu's policies, Eisenkot maintains strong support in Israel, particularly among Mizrahi voters, due to his military background and personal family sacrifices.
• Eisenkot is viewed as a relatable, centrist outsider open to coalition-building with leftist parties and advocating for broader conscription, contrasting with Netanyahu's long tenure and ongoing corruption challenges.
• While Eisenkot's rise is notable, experts caution that Netanyahu remains a resilient political figure capable of staging a comeback in the unpredictable Israeli parliamentary system.