In Israel, a strong challenger for political change

0:00This week on the NPR Politics Podcast, we uncover a pattern in political ad spending. As the midterms get closer, Republicans are leaning into an issue they've won on before, immigration. We look at their message and also what Democrats are saying on the issue in a very different way. Listen now on the NPR Politics Podcast. Today on State of the World, in Israel, a strong challenger for political change.

0:33You're listening to State of the World from NPR. We bring you the day's most vital international stories up close where they're happening. I'm Greg Dixon. Israel will hold national elections this fall, including a vote for prime minister for the first time in four years. Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving leader. But after three years of war and growing public frustration, his support has weakened. Now a former military chief is tapping into a desire for change and building a challenge to Netanyahu from within Israel's security establishment. NPR's Kerry Kahn takes us to Israel to meet the challenger who could reshape the country's future.

1:14A few hundred people fill rows of white plastic chairs on a backyard grassy hilltop in this rural northern town. They've come to hear Gavi Eisenkopf, the 66-year-old former Israeli military chief who's upending traditional Israeli politics. He's more gruff than seasoned speaker, but he doesn't shy away from taking his newly formed Yashar party, which translates as straight or honest into conservative strongholds. Places like Meona here in the north, far from Israel's power centers, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. He may not have polish, but his rhetoric bites, especially when he touts his security credentials and military record.

2:03Look, combine the military service of all six leaders in the government now, multiply it by five, and that is still five years less than what I served, he says to applause. Most Israelis know his most public military story. He lost his son, a reservist in Israel's war in Gaza. Two nephews were also killed there. Not long after his son's death, Eizenkot left Netanyahu's war cabinet, where he was a key advisor. He accused the prime minister of undermining deals to end the fighting and bring the hostages home. Israel needs leadership, straightforward leadership, that knows how to look people in the eye, speak the truth, and above all, restore hope, he tells the crowd.

2:54Like many here, high school teacher Mikhail Kaminsky values those qualities, and what she says is Eisenkot's greatest appeal. He's not Netanyahu. He listens, he doesn't blame, and he wants to create peace inside the people of Israel. And unlike Netanyahu, Eisenkot doesn't speak fluent English nor give interviews to the foreign press. We were told we could attend the rally but not ask any questions. Instead, at this early stage in the race, Eisenkot is concentrating on building his anti-establishment image, which seems to be working. He's edged Netanyahu from the top spot in several recent polls, says Moaz Rosenthal, a Jerusalem-based political scientist.

3:37It's not only an Israeli thing, because we know worldwide of the phenomenon of anti-politics, of people growing tired of politics. And Eisenkot is kind of riding this wave in a very effective way, no doubt about it. And he stays clear of controversial topics. You won't hear him talking about Palestinians, occupation, or a two-state solution, says Rosenthal. Israeli politicians have no interest in speaking about this topic right now. Public opinion does not support any type of really peaceful resolution. Even suggesting a coalition with established Arab-Israeli parties has become a wedge issue.

4:15Eisenkot mitgeven laakim, demaselet smolzara. Netanyahu started running these ads, accusing Eisenkot of collaborating with left-wing candidates and Arab parties who support Palestinian rights. Political psychologist Iran Halperin of Hebrew University says Netanyahu always gives voters someone to fear. But that's going to be hard with Eisenkot because he's definitely not a leftist or dovish on security. It's very, very difficult for Netanyahu to mobilize people to actually get out to vote because they don't have anyone to hate. Halperin says without a boogeyman, Netanyahu could see as much as a third of his right-wing party voters sit out Election Day.

4:57And Eisenkot has another advantage to siphon off Netanyahu's traditional base, his identity. He's a Mitzrahi Jew of North African descent, and they traditionally vote conservative. Since Israel was created, prime ministers have only been of Ashkenazi or Eastern European heritage. Back at the Eisenkot rally, Ajwad Abudullah from a nearby Arab Druze village says he voted twice for Netanyahu, but not again.

5:30The government has not treated us well up here, he says, and everyone is tired of the constant wars. In Eisenkot, he says, we believe in this man to make a change in the country. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Mione, Israel.

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