Just over a year after its founding, the Yashar party, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, approaches Israel\u2019s Oct. 27 election as the leading challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s Likud.<\/p>\n
Yashar presents itself as a vehicle for national reconstruction, combining security experience with commitments to professional government and shared civic obligations.<\/p>\n
Understanding that appeal begins with Eisenkot\u2019s path from military command to wartime government\u2014and eventually to a party of his own.<\/p>\n
The movement<\/p>\n
Eisenkot spent 41 years in the IDF, rising through the Golani Brigade and commanding Northern Command before serving as Israel\u2019s 21st chief of staff from 2015 to 2019. He entered the Knesset in 2022 with Benny Gantz\u2019s National Unity alliance.<\/p>\n
Following the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, Eisenkot joined Netanyahu\u2019s emergency government as a minister and served as an observer in the War Cabinet.<\/p>\n
His son Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Eisenkot<\/a> was killed fighting in Gaza that December; two nephews<\/a> also died during the war.<\/p>\n In June 2024, Eisenkot left the government alongside Gantz, arguing that political considerations were influencing wartime decisions. The following year, he broke with Gantz and resigned from the Knesset.<\/p>\n On Sept. 16, 2025, he announced Yashar\u2019s formation, saying, \u201cThe party will work toward repair, healing and hope for Israeli society.\u201d The launch brought together figures from politics, business, security and civil society.<\/p>\n That mix is reflected in its electoral slate. Former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen occupies second place on the Knesset candidates list, followed by former minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen. Social entrepreneur Adi Altschuler, the party\u2019s proposed education minister, is fourth. Former ministers Matan Kahana and Chili Tropper and former Finance Ministry budget chief Shaul Meridor complete the first seven.<\/p>\n Together, they give Yashar a leadership drawn from the security establishment, elected office, public administration and education\u2014the fields around which it has built its governing program.<\/p>\n The platform<\/p>\n Yashar\u2019s program links national security to changes in how Israel is governed. It proposes a national security strategy emphasizing long-term planning, stronger armed forces, refortified borders, and expanded regional cooperation. Eisenkot identifies Iran as his foremost external concern and advocates strengthening relations with the United States and expanding Israel\u2019s peace agreements. The party also promises a state commission of inquiry into Oct. 7 and the war\u2019s management.<\/p>\n On the Palestinian question, Eisenkot has rejected the two-state formula. \u201cThe two-state solution is a grave mistake,\u201d he told Israel Hayom in August. In the same interview, however, he opposed advancing construction in E1, located between Jerusalem and the developed area of Ma\u2019ale Adumim in Judea, citing the international diplomatic cost. He also criticized \u201csettler violence\u201d and warned that government policies in Judea and Samaria were damaging Israel\u2019s international legitimacy.<\/p>\n Domestically, compulsory service is central to Yashar\u2019s program. Its proposal would require military or meaningful civilian-national service across population groups, including haredim and Arabs. The IDF would select recruits according to its needs, with others directed to civilian service. Up to 3% of the entire annual cohort could receive renewable, one-year Torah-study deferments, subject to eligibility requirements and basic training. Those evading service without an exemption would face criminal sanctions and loss of benefits.<\/p>\n Yashar further proposes a Basic Law to establish clearer rules governing the powers of the Knesset, government and courts. The party promises to preserve judicial independence while protecting parliament\u2019s lawmaking authority, but its published program does not specify how judges would be appointed or when courts could overturn legislation. It also seeks broad agreement on a constitution, proposes limiting prime ministers to two terms and capping the number of government ministers.<\/p>\n Economically, Yashar combines measures to encourage competition with public investment. It proposes removing import barriers and Israel-specific regulation, expanding parallel imports and reducing market monopolies. Alongside these reforms, it pledges infrastructure investment and reconstruction in the north and south, while prioritizing IDF reservists for state assistance.<\/p>\n Education sees the same emphasis on centralized reform. Yashar proposes compulsory core studies (i.e. math, English and Hebrew), while simultaneously advocating for greater authority for schools and local government. Its platform further calls for stronger technological and traditional Jewish education.<\/p>\n Its domestic agenda also includes a national cabinet to combat organized crime and a program addressing violence in Arab society and the wider population.<\/p>\n The partners<\/p>\n