Netanyahu’s decision to sideline a bipartisan inquiry has rattled a nation still reeling from the Oct. 7 onslaught that killed 1,200. He blamed the security establishment for lapses, while Yair Lapid accused the proposal of being a whitewash.
Eisenkot, who lost a son in the Gaza war, has pledged a genuine investigation, calling it a way to prevent the next disaster. He insists the government must set up an independent commission before the vote.
Israel’s security doctrine has shifted from deterrence to prolonged campaigns, with the army entrenched in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Daily strikes in the West Bank and ongoing presence in “security zones” have drawn international criticism, according to Ofer Shelah of the INSS.
The debate over exemptions for ultra‑Orthodox Jews has intensified, with Netanyahu balancing pressure from Likud and the far‑right coalition against calls from the opposition to end the exemptions. An ultra‑Orthodox protester was detained after entering the home of the military police chief.
The upcoming elections will likely hinge on how the parties resolve the conscription and accountability issues, shaping Israel’s next decade of security and governance.