Gadi Eisenkot

Gadi Eisenkot
Gadi Eisenkot
גדי איזנקוט‎
	Eisenkot in 2020
Ministerial roles
2023–2024	Minister without portfolio
Faction represented in the Knesset
2022–	National Unity
Personal details
Born	19 May 1960 (age 64); Tiberias, Israel
Education	Tel Aviv University; University of Haifa
Awards	Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Military service
Allegiance	Israel
Branch/service	Operations Directorate, Northern Command
Years of service	1978–2019
Rank	; Rav Aluf (highest rank; Lieutenant general)
Commands	Golani Brigade; Military Secretary to the Prime Minister; Judea and Samaria Division; Operations Directorate; Northern Command; Deputy Chief of General Staff; Chief of the General Staff;
Battles/wars	1982 Lebanon War; South Lebanon conflict (1982–2000); 2006 Lebanon War; Operation Cast Lead; Operation Pillar of Defense; Operation Protective Edge;

Gadi Eisenkot (Hebrew: גדי איזנקוט; born 19 May 1960), also spelt Eizenkot, is an Israeli general and politician from the Israeli National Unity party. He served as the 21st Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 2015 to 2019 and from 2023 to 2024, as a minister without portfolio in Israel's unity government. Eisenkot, who grew up in Eilat, pursued maritime studies and later served in the IDF's Golani Brigade. He holds a B.A. in History from Tel Aviv University and a post-graduate degree in Political Science from Haifa University. Married with five children, he resides in Herzliya. One of his sons, Gal, was killed in action during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.

Throughout his military career, Eisenkot held various leadership roles in the Golani Brigade and other IDF divisions. He served as the Military Secretary for Prime Minister Ehud Barak and later as the Chief of Staff of the IDF. During his tenure as Chief of Staff, Eisenkot focused on strengthening IDF ground forces and implementing the "Gideon" multi-year plan, which emphasized force buildup and the formation of a cyber command.

Eisenkot's political views advocate for a state rooted in national-Jewish values while ensuring equal rights for all citizens. He supports a two-state solution with the Palestinians, prioritizing the Jordan Valley and settlement blocs, and advocates for a long-term ceasefire and demilitarization in the Gaza Strip. Eisenkot emphasizes the need for a robust security policy and internal unity in Israel, viewing domestic polarization as a significant threat. He advocates for reforms to strengthen the separation of powers within the Israeli government.