Key facts
- Netanyahu and Eisenkot oppose a two-state solution.
- Eisenkot would dismantle unauthorized West Bank settlements.
- Netanyahu's coalition includes parties advocating for annexation of Palestinian land.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main opponent Gadi Eisenkot both oppose an independent Palestinian state, suggesting that next week's election is unlikely to lead to a significant shift in policies impacting the decades-old peace process. Both candidates also maintain hawkish positions regarding Gaza, stating they would resume military operations if Hamas does not disarm.
Differences may emerge in their approaches to West Bank settlements and the composition of their potential coalition governments. Netanyahu has presided over rapid settlement expansion, including illegal outposts, while Eisenkot favors settlements that comply with Israeli law and has pledged to dismantle unauthorized ones. Eisenkot also opposes the E1 settlement plan, which critics argue would bisect the West Bank and sever it from East Jerusalem.