Israel defence minister slams Eisenkot's call for military to resist PM

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Israel's Defence Minister on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) denounced opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot for urging the military to resist post-election pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has threatened new strikes on Iran."His call to senior military officials not to obey the directives of the prime minister or me or of other relevant security authorities, on the grounds that 'they have his support', is an anti-democratic statement detached from reality," Israel Katz wrote on X.Mr. Eisenkot, a former military chief, in a speech to supporters after Tuesday's (October 27) election said that Mr. Netanyahu was a caretaker prime minister lacking a mandate and that the military should serve the state rather than the premier."Stand firm in the face of any attempt to challenge you. You have my unequivocal backing. Netanyahu, do not dare use Israel's security for your political needs," Mr. Eisenkot said.Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened renewed war on Iran, after bombing campaigns backed by the United States last year and again this year.Media reports, denied by Mr. Netanyahu, said that military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir pushed back immediately before the election on the prime minister's new plans on Iran.Mr. Katz said that Eisenkot's comments were the latest in "a campaign of lies" about tensions between Mr. Netanyahu and the military over Iran. Published - October 28, 2026 08:54 pm IST