Israeli Opposition Leader Gadi Eisenkot Demands Netanyahu’s Immediate Resignation Over Election Interference Allegations

• Gadi Eisenkot stated that Benjamin Netanyahu cannot remain in power following allegations of electoral interference involving a Netanyahu aide.
• Eisenkot characterized Netanyahu’s actions as a direct threat to Israeli democracy, calling for an immediate and thorough investigation.

Updated 1 min 32 sec ago

November 16, 2026 01:59

JERUSALEM — Israeli prime ministerial hopeful Gadi Eisenkot declared on Sunday that caretaker Premier Benjamin Netanyahu “cannot remain at the head of the government for a minute longer,” following reports of alleged electoral interference by a Netanyahu aide. The statement came just hours after representatives of the two leaders met to discuss the potential formation of a national unity government, during which Eisenkot launched a scathing attack on his rival.

“The behavior of the outgoing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his entourage constitutes a concrete, direct, and immediate threat to Israeli democracy,” Eisenkot, a former army chief, stated emphatically.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, on the eve of the election, Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Ido Norden, contacted the police commissioner’s office to file a complaint regarding members of the Arab-Israeli Raam party. During this communication, Norden allegedly directed police officers to a purported intelligence source who was a former employee of Netanyahu’s office. Based on information from this source, three Raam members were arrested, prompting Netanyahu to launch an offensive against Arab-Israeli parties, accusing them of electoral fraud after they secured a record number of seats. The three individuals were later released after police determined the source’s information was unfounded.

“I call for the immediate opening of an investigation into this affair,” Eisenkot said on Sunday, as confirmed by a statement from his party.

In response, Netanyahu’s office dismissed Channel 12’s report as “false,” asserting that Norden had merely “fulfilled his civic duty.” The opposition has accused the caretaker premier of attempting to delegitimize Arab parties and the election itself in a bid to retain power. Neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot’s opposition achieved the 61 seats required to form a government in last month’s election. However, the two main Arab parties, the Joint List and Raam, have signaled support for Eisenkot, who was tapped to form a government last week. On Saturday, Netanyahu appealed to Eisenkot to join a unity government, but the former army chief accused him of playing “tricks” and sowing tensions.

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