Eisenkot Hits Back at Leftist Label, Pledges to Dismantle Hamas in Gaza

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar! party, responded Sunday to criticism from Maj. Gen. (res.) Yossi Bachar, who characterized him in an Israel Hayom interview as a leftist and expressed concern over the future of West Bank settlements. Speaking at the "HaDor" election conference in Jerusalem, Eisenkot dismissed the remarks as unfortunate.

Response to Political Labeling

Bachar, who recently joined the Religious Zionism party, claimed Eisenkot's positions lean further left than portrayed and warned that West Bank settlement projects could face severe setbacks under his leadership. Eisenkot praised Bachar's military record, noting he appointed him as deputy head of the Southern Command, but firmly rejected the political characterization.

"This is an unfortunate statement," Eisenkot said. "No IDF officer can say I ever exchanged a single word with him about politics." Regarding the settlements, Eisenkot stated he supports them under two strict conditions: alignment with national security interests and strict adherence to the law.

Disagreement on Iran and Hamas

Eisenkot also distanced himself from remarks made by The Democrats leader Yair Golan, who called the targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a mistake. Eisenkot defended the assassination, noting that Khamenei was the commander-in-chief of a regime that launched a drone targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea.

Addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Eisenkot pledged to dismantle Hamas within 18 to 24 months, citing his past experience leading counter-terrorism operations in the West Bank. He criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of military strategy and reiterated that anyone who held a leadership or command role on October 7 is unfit to serve in future government positions, including ministerial roles.