Former Ra'anana city chief joins Bennett's 'Together' party

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced Tuesday afternoon that Michal Nagari, the former chief executive of Ra'anana Municipality and now head of training for municipal CEOs, is joining his 'Together' party. Bennett said she is 'an excellent leader who grew from the field, from education and local government,' adding that she has influenced tens of thousands of people and brought values needed to rebuild Israel.

Nagari said she joined Bennett because she believes his leadership can help 'repair, renew and move Israel forward.' She described the move as a personal public mission rooted in responsibility, hope and the belief that change is possible. Nagari said she brings decades of public-service experience and wants to help build a stronger, more united country for the next generation.

The party said Nagari holds bachelor's and master's degrees in educational systems management from Bar-Ilan University. It said she managed the Ilan Ramon school in Kfar Yair-Tzur Yigal from 2003 to 2006, served as head of Ra'anana's education department from 2006 to 2013, and was the municipality's CEO from 2013 to 2019. In 2021, she co-founded Mekomot, the national center for municipal knowledge and management.

The party also noted that Nagari is married to Shmulik and is the mother of Gal, Gaia and Roi, who was killed on October 7. Chief Warrant Officer (res.) Roi Nagari was a team commander in the LOTAR unit and fell in fighting against militants while clearing houses and rescuing civilians in Be'eri. The article said Nagari has also been active in recent years in protests against the draft-exemption bill, working with the families' forum to block its passage in the Knesset.