Ex-Council Head and Bereaved Father Join Gadi Eisenkot's Party

With less than two weeks until Knesset lists are finalized, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael! party, announced the addition of two new candidates to his slate: Tal Ohana Hachmon, former head of the Yeroham local council, and Lt. Col. (res.) Nir Hajbi, a member of Kibbutz Kissufim whose son was killed in the October 7th Hamas attack. Eisenkot stated that both Ohana Hachmon and Hajbi are leaders from the south who have dedicated years to security, settlement, and the development of the Negev and Gaza envelope regions. He emphasized their deep understanding of the area and its needs, bringing rich experience and commitment to its rehabilitation and prosperity.

Tal Ohana Hachmon, a prominent figure in the Negev's local and social leadership, previously served in various roles in Yeroham, including deputy mayor and head of the education and strategic development portfolio, before being elected mayor in 2018. She was recognized for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and received several awards for her public service. Ohana Hachmon has focused on advancing education, employment, and economic development in the Negev, viewing the periphery as a national growth engine. In recent years, she has also been involved in rehabilitation efforts in northern communities affected by conflict and chairs the "Organization 255" for the rehabilitation of hostage families. Ohana Hachmon expressed her commitment to making the Negev and Galilee national priorities and a significant engine of growth for Israel.

Nir Hajbi, a disabled IDF veteran, grew up in Moshav Yachini and is now a member of Kibbutz Kissufim. He dedicated decades to Israel's security, settlement, and the western Negev and Gaza envelope. Hajbi served for 26 years as an officer in the Golani Brigade, rising to the rank of Lt. Col. During the war, he was recognized by the IDF Chief of Staff for his extensive reserve duty commanding a battalion. He was also involved in establishing the Western Negev district of the Home Front Command. His son, Yonatan, was murdered on October 7th. Despite his personal loss, Hajbi returned to Israel and resumed command of his reserve battalion for hundreds of days of fighting. He continues to work towards the security, settlement, and rehabilitation of the western Negev. Hajbi also has significant management and public experience, having served as community manager for Kibbutz Kissufim and director of the City of Training Bases' operations company. He also lectures on leadership and growth through crisis and bereavement.

Hajbi stated that the western Negev has always been his home. He emphasized that alongside his pain and loss, he has chosen to continue working for the place and its future. He joins Gadi Eisenkot to leverage his experience from the military, settlement, and management to work for the security, rehabilitation, and growth of the south. He believes the responsibility is not just to return the region to its pre-October 7th state but to build it back stronger, safer, and more prosperous for those lost and for future generations.