Last week, a video featuring former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot speaking English with a noticeable Israeli accent was shared on social media by Yonatan Urich, a strategic adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The clip sparked controversy after Urich, who was indicted two days later on charges of transmitting classified information to the German Bild tabloid with intent to harm state security, confirmed that the episode was part of a Likud-led campaign mocking Eisenkot. The campaign appeared to be a response to Eisenkot’s recent public challenge to Netanyahu for a debate ahead of the upcoming elections.

Eisenkot, who established the Yashar! party last September, has seen a steady rise in popularity in recent opinion polls. According to some surveys conducted late last week, Yashar! had reached parity with the joint Together party led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, with at least one poll favoring Eisenkot as a more suitable prime minister candidate than Netanyahu. However, the political landscape remains fluid, with more than four months before the 26th Knesset elections and uncertainty surrounding the eventual center-left prime ministerial candidate.

The opposition bloc currently includes three prominent figures who could challenge Netanyahu: Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman. Despite Yisrael Beytenu’s smaller size, Liberman has asserted his claim to leadership based on his political experience. The main contest is expected to be between Eisenkot and Bennett, with Bennett viewed as more appealing to moderate right-wing voters while Eisenkot is seen as a centrist candidate. The final candidate selection may hinge on broader strategic considerations by opposition parties.

While there is debate over the timing and necessity of a public debate between Netanyahu and a leading opposition candidate, discussions have also emerged about the relevance of English language proficiency for Israel’s prime minister. The episode prompted reflection on the role language plays in leadership, noting that many prominent leaders worldwide, such as former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, rarely spoke English publicly despite their long tenures. Historic Israeli figures like former foreign minister Abba Eban were noted for polished English, but oratory skills do not necessarily translate into political success.

Eisenkot’s English, though not fluent, is generally accurate and clear, differing from previous political gaffes such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s widely ridiculed linguistic slip. Eisenkot himself criticized the ridicule as racist and unworthy of serious response. Observers suggest Likud’s attacks may stem from concern over Eisenkot’s growing appeal, which is linked to his military background, personal losses in recent conflicts, and his role in Netanyahu’s emergency unity government from October 2023 to June 2024. During his tenure as a minister without portfolio and war cabinet observer, Eisenkot reportedly pushed for urgent hostage negotiations and expressed concerns about the lack of strategic decisions.

Although it remains uncertain whether Eisenkot will become Israel’s next prime minister, analysts note that his leadership style would likely diverge significantly from Netanyahu’s, extending beyond differences in language proficiency.