Shvut Raanan quits the Reservists Party ahead of its primary

Attorney Shvut Raanan announced she is leaving the Reservists Party and will not run in the party’s primary for its Knesset list, held today ahead of the next election for the 26th Knesset. Her departure came just before the vote, after the party, led by Yoaz Hendel, had chosen last week to keep him on as chairman.

In a letter to party members, Raanan said she was acting מתוך אחריות עמוקה למאבק הציבורי שלנו, and explained that she had come to believe that the shift from an authentic reservists’ struggle into a political framework was no longer the right path to achieve the movement’s goals. She said her original bid in the party was a natural extension of public activism on behalf of mobilized families and an attempt to build a new, clean, unifying political force for right-wing and religious-Zionist voters seeking a home.

Raanan stressed that she remains committed to public service and will continue working for what she called a “broad Zionist government” that would pass an “responsible and fair” conscription law. She also said such a government should work to defeat Israel’s enemies, advance rehabilitation and settlement in all parts of the country, restore democratic balance that allows real public debate, and improve children’s education.

The party’s primary is being held today, with results due tomorrow. The list includes 28 candidates, among them reservists, bereaved families, wounded IDF veterans, and activists opposed to the draft-exemption law.