The Global Story: The challenger to Netanyahu, with New Yorker editor David Remnick
Aug 23, 2026 · 28m
Summary
This episode of The Global Story features an interview with David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, regarding Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli general emerging as a top contender to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections. Remnick discusses Eisenkot’s background, including the loss of his son in Gaza, and contrasts his centrist, pro-democracy platform with Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition. The conversation also addresses the strained U.S.-Israel relationship and whether a change in leadership could help repair diplomatic ties amid shifting American public opinion.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Lexus and ChatGPT for Business
Intro: Jared Kushner's peace mission and Netanyahu's election
Who is Gadi Eisenkot? The anti-Netanyahu candidate
Eisenkot's son killed in Gaza and public grief
Eisenkot's Moroccan heritage and military background
Personality contrast: Eisenkot vs. Netanyahu
Eisenkot joins the war cabinet after Oct 7
Disagreements on hostages and leaving the cabinet
Israeli coalition politics and Eisenkot's new party
Eisenkot's platform: Democracy and service
Sponsors: PetSmart, Questlove, Starbucks, Figs
Counterfactual: Would Eisenkot have handled Gaza differently?
Netanyahu's polling struggles and campaign tactics
Shifting U.S. public opinion on Israel
The challenge of repairing U.S.-Israel relations
Outro and teaser for next episode on Prince Harry
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