Former Yeroham Mayor Tal Ohana Hachmon and Col. (Res.) Nir Hajbi Join Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael Beiteinu Party

The Yisrael party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, announced on Sunday the addition of Tal Ohana Hachmon, former head of the Yeroham local council, and Colonel (Res.) Nir Hajbi to its ranks. Ohana Hachmon, a recipient of several prestigious awards for her public service and academic achievements, has focused on promoting education, employment, and economic development in the Negev region, viewing the periphery as a national growth engine. In recent years, she has also worked on rehabilitation and growth initiatives in northern communities affected by the war and chairs an organization for the rehabilitation of families of hostages. The party highlighted her practical experience in leading authorities and communities and in regional development.

Colonel (Res.) Nir Hajbi, a disabled IDF veteran and resident of Kibbutz Kissufim, has dedicated decades to Israel's security, settlement, and the Gaza envelope region. He served for 26 years as a combat officer in the Golani Brigade, rising to the rank of Colonel, and was recognized as an outstanding officer during the "Swords of Iron" war for his extensive reserve duty. Hajbi was instrumental in establishing the Western Negev sector for the Home Front Command. He lost his son, Yonatan, in the October 7th Hamas attack. Despite his loss, Hajbi has been actively involved in rebuilding the Western Negev, focusing on security, settlement, and community strengthening.

Eisenkot stated that both Ohana Hachmon and Hajbi are leaders who grew up in the South, dedicating years to security, settlement, public service, and the development of the Negev. He emphasized their deep understanding of the region's challenges and opportunities, and the party's mission to not only rebuild but also to construct a better future for the South, making it a safe, prosperous, and growing region.

Ohana Hachmon expressed her commitment to the Negev, her home for four generations, and her belief that the region is the future of Israel. She aims to leverage her experience in local government and regional development to prioritize the Negev and Galilee nationally, turning them into significant growth engines for the country.

Hajbi, whose family has lived in the Western Negev for generations, spoke of his dedication to the region's security, settlement, and community. He stated that following the loss of his son, he chose to continue working for the region's future. He intends to use his experience from the military, settlement, and management to foster security, rehabilitation, and growth in the South, aiming to build a stronger and more prosperous Western Negev.