Israel's Knesset voted to dissolve itself on July 16, with the body now in recess until the next parliament is appointed after the scheduled election set for Oct. 27, The Times of Israel reported on July 17. The dissolution comes against the backdrop of neck-and-neck polling between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and the opposition.

Eisenkot, the son of Moroccan immigrants, has a unique standing in the political spectrum, pitching a center-right national security strategy based in part on his experience in the Golani Brigade. He also favors a Palestinian state, but with most national security under Israeli control, and is courting Israeli Arab parties as part of his pitch to potentially lead the next opposition. His Yashar party now often leads in polling as the most popular or second-most popular party if the election were held today. Still, Eisenkot faces notable competition from Lapid and Bennett, both of whom are still polling strongly.