As moves are made to oust Netanyahu, and Netanyahu becomes increasingly trapped, can Gadi Eisenkot and Israel’s defense establishment keep him from playing his last card—launching a major war? Aside from Netanyahu’s overweening ego and lust for power, it might also be his ‘Keep Out of Jail’ card.

It is clear the matter is on the mind of Gadi Eisenkot, former IDF Chief of Staff and the likely candidate to replace Netanyahu. In his address the morning after the Oct.27 vote, he stated: “I am addressing the heads of the defense establishment and the civil service: Netanyahu is a caretaker prime minister, without a mandate or public trust. Remember that you serve the state and the interests of Israel’s citizens alone.” He further pledged to support senior officials if they came under political pressure. He added a direct warning to the prime minister: “Netanyahu, don’t you dare use Israel’s security for your political purposes.”

Immediately, Netanyahu’s close Likud party ally, Defense Minister Israel Katz, struck back: “His appeal to senior IDF officials not to obey directives from the prime minister, me, and the established security forums ‘because they have backing from him’ is an undemocratic and detached statement.” He characterized Eisenkot’s remarks as “a continuation of the campaign of lies that he and his friends have run in the election on the topic of purported clashes between the political and military leadership regarding Iran. The IDF is a full partner in the significant achievements versus Iran, and is a partner currently in all of the discussions—and will carry out any decision that is necessary.”