Netanyahu Challenger Pledges Truth and Unity in Tight Israeli Election Race

Israel faces a pivotal election on Tuesday, with polls showing a tight race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, who has pledged to unite the country and tell the truth. The campaign has intensified with mutual accusations over security and Iran policy. At his final rally in Tel Aviv, Eisenkot promised to overcome national divisions and take responsibility for successes and failures, directly appealing to undecided Likud voters by saying Israel cannot continue this way. Netanyahu, meanwhile, accused Eisenkot of seeking a Palestinian state and lacking resolve against Iran, while opposition leader Jair Lapid called for Netanyahu's removal. Netanyahu has received backing from US President Donald Trump, who urged Israelis to re-elect him, citing their joint fight against Iran. Eisenkot advocates a state inquiry into the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack failures, which Netanyahu rejects, as thousands demonstrated against the prime minister in Tel Aviv on Saturday.