Benet and Eisenkot Clash Over Trooper Alliance Ahead of Knesset Deadline
With four days left before Knesset lists close, Naftali Benet and Gadi Eisenkot are locked in a battle to recruit Chili Trooper. The decision will shape the leadership of the anti-Netanyahu bloc.
With less than four days remaining until the submission of Knesset candidate lists for the upcoming October elections, a fierce battle is underway within the "change bloc" between Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar!" party and Naftali Benet's "Behad" party.
At the center of the struggle is Chili Trooper, who founded the "Beit Tzioni - The Reservists" party alongside Yoaz Hendel. Both Benet and Eisenkot are actively lobbying Trooper to join their respective factions, each presenting distinct political incentives.
The Battle for Bloc Leadership
Despite recent polling, elements within the opposition bloc remain hesitant to accept Eisenkot's leadership. Consequently, the fight over Trooper is not merely about securing his faction's electoral support. Behind the scenes, it represents a high-stakes branding war between Eisenkot's "Yashar!" and the Benet-Yair Lapid alliance.
Both camps want to claim momentum and position themselves as the ultimate unifying force of the bloc. Trooper's independent run is viewed as a potential risk that could waste vital votes for the camp opposing Benjamin Netanyahu if his party fails to clear the electoral threshold.
Trooper's Strategic Options
Sources indicate that Trooper is weighing several paths ahead of Tuesday's deadline:
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An independent run: Attempting to cross the electoral threshold alone.
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A coordinated bloc maneuver: Running independently to block rival factions or prevent Ofer Winter from entering the Knesset.
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An alliance with Benny Gantz: Partnering with Gantz and Ayelet Shaked to form a centrist force demanding a national unity government.
Realistic Spots vs. Personal Ties
Insiders close to the negotiations reveal that Trooper is committed to securing viable spots for his list nominees, including Shira Shapira—mother of Israeli hero Aner Shapira—and Elyasaf Peretz. Trooper has stated that any merger must include his entire group to "tell a broader ideological story."
An analysis of the current political landscape suggests that Eisenkot can offer more realistic Knesset seats to Trooper's allies than the Benet-Lapid list, where veteran members of "Yesh Atid" were recently forced to step aside due to a shortage of realistic spots.
Conversely, Benet and Trooper share a close, long-standing friendship. While Benet is willing to offer generous spots, they are fewer than what Eisenkot can guarantee. Furthermore, Trooper is reportedly hesitant about Benet's political partnership with Yair Lapid.
Ultimately, political analysts expect Trooper to merge with either Eisenkot or Benet rather than running alone. His final decision will heavily influence the structure of the opposition and the ongoing leadership struggle, as Benet and "Yisrael Beytenu" leader Avigdor Lieberman continue to challenge Eisenkot's dominance.
