Yesh Atid Unveils Knesset List with New Faces and Ex-Military Brass

Yesh Atid party chairman Yair Lapid released the party's Knesset list for the upcoming elections, intended to be part of a joint list with Naftali Bennett's party. Lapid stated that Yesh Atid representatives will constitute approximately 40% of the joint list. The finalized list order is expected Tuesday, with the deadline for submissions on Tuesday.

Lapid presented the list as a "rebuilding" and generational shift within the party, emphasizing the experience and capability of its members. The top of the list features Yair Lapid himself at number one. Following him are MK Merav Ben Ari at number two, a nine-year Knesset veteran and former chair of the Interior Committee. Noam Tibon, a retired Major General and former commander of the Northern Corps, is placed third. Tibon, who participated in combat in the Gaza envelope on October 7th, is running for Knesset for the first time.

Other notable placements include former Minister of Social Equality Merav Cohen at number four, former Mossad Deputy Chief and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ram Ben Barak at number five, and Naor Shiri, former Deputy Mayor of Hod Hasharon, at number six. The list continues with Vladimir Beliak, an economist, at number seven; Yoav Harlap at number eight; Yasmin Sax-Friedman, a former city council member, at number nine; and Netta Attias, who has managed the Yesh Atid faction for a decade, at number ten.

The list's release follows a significant number of departures from the party, including former Minister Karin Elharrar and veteran founders Meir Cohen and Mickey Levy. MKs Elazar Stern and Yoav Segalovitch are also leaving to pursue political careers elsewhere. These departures have drawn criticism from political rivals but have also been defended by party loyalists.

MK Merav Ben Ari defended the party's decisions, calling the departures "brave" and necessary for refreshing the party's ranks. She criticized coalition members for being "ineffectual" compared to Yesh Atid's representatives. MK Vladimir Beliak acknowledged the difficult week for the party but stressed the strong bonds within Yesh Atid, describing the departures as painful but indicative of the party's unique character.