Gadi Eisenkot's Party Unveils Knesset List Featuring Hostage Survivor, Ex-Generals

The 'Yisrael' party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, announced its top ten candidates for the upcoming Knesset elections on Monday. The party stated that these individuals represent "Israelis whose life stories and actions embody the values of service, responsibility, statemanship, and mutual responsibility, and the diverse fabric of Israeli society."

Notable figures on the list include Ohad Ben Ami, who survived 491 days in Hamas captivity after being abducted from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7th. His wife Raz was released after 54 days. Ben Ami has since advocated for the release of all hostages. Also featured is Maj. Gen. (res.) Gideon Shefer, a former fighter pilot and squadron commander who was a POW in Egypt during the Yom Kippur War and later held senior positions in the IDF and served as acting National Security Advisor.

Shira and Eli Albag, parents of abducted observer Noa Albag, who were released after 477 days, are also on the list. They became prominent advocates for the hostages' release. Yoni Levi, father of abducted observer Noa Levi, also released after 477 days, is included for his activism. Sapir Zohar Hamami, widow of Col. Assaf Hamami, who fell on October 7th and whose body was taken to Gaza, is listed for her efforts to return hostages and fallen soldiers. Hertzel Gershtein, widow of Brig. Gen. Erez Gershtein, who was killed in Lebanon in 1999, is also included.

Further down the list are Adina Bar-Shalom, daughter of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and founder of the Jerusalem College for Haredi Women, known for her work integrating Haredim into higher education and employment. Maj. Gen. (res.) Gideon Abbas, one of the senior Druze officers in the IDF, is also listed, as is his grandson who fell in Gaza. Economist and public policy expert Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg, former head of the National Economic Council, and veteran statesman Dan Meridor, a former Justice Minister and Finance Minister, complete the top ten.

Eisenkot stated that the list represents the story of Israel and the need for societal healing, emphasizing the shared spirit of service, responsibility, and love for the country among the candidates. He expressed pride in their decision to join the party's mission to unite Israel based on national interests.