Eisenkot Calls Netanyahu an 'Anti-Leader' as He Leads Polls

Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli military chief, is leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in early polling and has publicly called him an "anti-leader," according to The New York Times. The report, published Oct. 23, 2026, says Eisenkot's rise is complicated by a campaign style that some of his own supporters find too quiet for a national race.

What is Gadi Eisenkot saying about Netanyahu?

Eisenkot's central message, as described by The New York Times, is that Netanyahu has failed the basic test of leadership. He uses the term "anti-leader" to describe the prime minister, a direct rebuke aimed at Netanyahu's record and conduct in office. The Times does not quote further specifics behind the label beyond that framing, but the word choice is deliberate: Eisenkot is positioning himself as the opposite of what he says Netanyahu represents.

"Anti-leader" — Gadi Eisenkot's description of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by The New York Times.

Why is Eisenkot leading in the polls?

The Times identifies Eisenkot as an ex-military chief who currently leads in polling against Netanyahu. The report does not include specific poll numbers or the margin of his lead, so those figures are not available here. What is clear from the source is that his standing is tied to his background in military leadership, a credential that sets him apart from career politicians in the race.

What makes his campaign style "low-key"?

The Times describes Eisenkot's approach to campaigning as low-key, without detailing specific events, speeches, or media appearances he has skipped or minimized. The characterization comes from the same report and is tied directly to the concern raised by his supporters, rather than to a neutral description of scheduling or strategy.

Why are his own supporters worried?

According to the Times, people backing Eisenkot are concerned that his restrained style could cost him in a contest against a prime minister known for aggressive, high-visibility politics. The worry, as framed in the report, is less about Eisenkot's message and more about whether a quieter candidate can keep pace with Netanyahu's long record of public combat. The Times does not name specific supporters making this complaint, so no individual is quoted on the record in the available material.

What happens next in the race?

The New York Times report does not specify an election date, a formal campaign schedule, or next steps in the political calendar. What it establishes is a snapshot: a former military leader ahead in early polls, a sharp verbal attack on the sitting prime minister, and internal unease over campaign tactics. Readers looking for vote totals, debate dates, or coalition math will need to watch for follow-up reporting, since those details are not part of the current account.

For now, the contrast the Times draws is stylistic as much as political — a low-key former general against a prime minister whose public style has defined Israeli politics for years. Whether that contrast holds up as the race develops is, by the paper's own account, still unsettled.

Full report: The New York Times.

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