Protest outside Eisenkot’s home draws condemnation from political allies

Right-wing demonstrators outside the home of Yashar Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot on Sunday evening called the former IDF chief of staff a traitor and accused him of killing his own son. Footage of the protest drew widespread condemnation, with his party and political allies directing criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what they described as an atmosphere of incitement.

During the demonstration, a protester used a megaphone to shout the accusation about Eisenkot’s son, while others joined in chants calling him a traitor. Videos showing the crowd outside his home circulated on social media, prompting expressions of support for Eisenkot and his family and denunciations of the remarks.

In a statement, Yashar blamed the incident on political leaders whom it accused of abandoning all limits in order to stay in power. The party linked the protesters’ conduct to the tone coming from Netanyahu’s office and said the episode reinforced the need to replace his government as soon as possible for the sake of Israel and its society. It added that it no longer expected a condemnation.

Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan, a retired major general, voiced his support for Eisenkot on Monday morning. Writing on X, he described Eisenkot as a friend and condemned the verbal attack. Golan accused Netanyahu and his associates of spreading the rhetoric that had led to the abuse outside Eisenkot’s home.

Golan also described those who gathered at the house as part of Netanyahu’s political apparatus and argued that incitement would define the prime minister’s legacy. He said a new government would end that pattern and restore responsibility, boundaries and respect for human dignity to public discourse in Israel.

Former prime minister and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid also denounced the demonstration and expressed support for Eisenkot and his family. Lapid questioned how the protesters’ behavior reflected Jewish or Israeli values and blamed political leadership for fostering such hatred. He said Israel needed a different direction and pledged to help bring that about.

Journalist Ben Caspit focused his response on Eisenkot’s military service and the losses his family had suffered. Condemning the accusation shouted outside the home, Caspit noted that Eisenkot had spent 41 years in uniform and had buried a son and two nephews. He questioned how anyone could direct such remarks at a person with that history.