Benjamin Netanyahu Rejects US Troop Withdrawal Demands Amid Israeli Election Race

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet he will refuse the United States' demand to pull Israeli forces from Gaza, Syria and southern Lebanon, saying “Les diré que no.” He emphasized the need to keep troops in “security zones” to protect Israel’s borders from jihadist threats and is scheduled to travel to the United States for a meeting with President Donald Trump.

At the same time, former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the leading challenger to Netanyahu in the snap parliamentary election set for 27 October. Eisenkot, founder of the centrist Yashar party, leads several polls and could become Israel’s first prime minister of Mizrahi (North African‑Arab) heritage if elected.