Benoit's "B" Party Submits Knesset List First, Forgoes "Pah"

Naftali Benoit's "B" party submitted its list for the 26th Knesset on Monday, becoming the first to do so. The list includes prominent figures, security officials, and public service representatives. The party requested the Hebrew letters "Bet" and "Resh" for its ballot symbol, thereby relinquishing the letters "Peh" and "Heh," which are associated with Yair Lapid's party.

Benoit's party emphasized its commitment to addressing pressing issues such as equal conscription, reforming the Haredi education system, and establishing a state inquiry commission. The submitted list features a significant number of women in leadership positions, former prime ministers and ministers, committee chairs, mayors, and public sector executives. Additionally, 11 reservists on the list have collectively accumulated over 3,000 days of reserve duty since October 7th.

The submission of lists to the Central Elections Committee marks the official start of the election process. The committee will review the requested ballot letters for all parties. Other parties have also begun or are expected to submit their lists, with anticipated ballot letters for several major factions including Likud, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Blue and White.

The deadline for submitting candidate lists is Tuesday evening. Parties have the ability to make changes to their lists within the established rules until the submission period closes.