Gadi Eisenkot Seeks Coalition to Replace Benjamin Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot attempts to form a new Israeli governing coalition while facing threats of military aid cuts from President Donald Trump.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new governing coalition to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot inherits a severely strained relationship with the United States, driven by Israel's military campaign in Gaza and its efforts to press for war with Iran.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to cut billions of dollars in annual military aid to Israel by the end of the year, citing the ongoing conflict and Republican losses in midterm elections. To restore these ties, Eisenkot must address U.S. concerns regarding settler violence in the West Bank, increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, and signal a potential shift toward a Palestinian state.
These diplomatic requirements create a domestic conflict for Eisenkot, as such policy shifts risk provoking opposition from Netanyahu and right-wing allies. In the U.S., Democratic leaders have indicated that future bipartisan support is contingent on Israel aligning its policies with shared values.
