Unusual Candidates Vie for Votes at Israeli Election Committee

As parties submitted their lists for the upcoming elections, several unconventional candidates made notable appearances before the Central Elections Committee. Eitan Shvili, known as "Shersher," arrived dressed as a king in a blue robe and crown, presenting his "Shersher for Love and Unity of the People" list. He declared his intention to be the next Prime Minister of Israel, aiming to represent those suffering from post-traumatic stress and to act as a philanthropist. Shersher also stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu would serve as his Foreign Minister, emphasizing his desire to bring order and money to the public.

Following Shersher, the "Pirates" party, a perennial contender since 2013 that has never passed the electoral threshold, introduced Professor Dan Ariely as their third candidate. Ariely, author of "Predictably Irrational," wore a pirate hat and discussed the party's origins in addressing intellectual property issues and its current focus on modern democracy, transparency, and providing a home for those who feel marginalized.

Another list, "Paradise," led by Yeshua Ben David, presented itself with a high priest's breastplate. Ben David, who positions himself as a candidate for Prime Minister and Finance Minister, expressed a desire to serve as a priest in the Temple and spoke of a partial halachic state, debt forgiveness, and judicial reforms. He believes that breaking through in the media will encourage Israelis to consider new parties, even if they don't meet the electoral threshold.

The article also touches upon election financing, noting that new parties like "Together" (Naftali Bennett) and "Yashar" (Gadi Eisenkot) receive funding based on the number of Knesset members they secure, plus a base unit of 1.835 million shekels. Parties that do not pass the threshold but receive at least 1% of the vote are also entitled to this funding unit. Parties can receive advance funding of approximately 10 million shekels with a bank guarantee, which is forfeited if they fail to pass the threshold. After the elections, successful factions can take loans to cover campaign expenses, repaid from their ongoing monthly funding.