Parties Submit Knesset Lists Ahead of Deadline for 2026 Elections

The deadline for submitting candidate lists for the 26th Knesset is approaching, with the process formally concluding at 10:00 PM on Tuesday, though the final hour for submissions is midnight. The submission period began Monday at the Knesset building under the supervision of Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee.

Several parties, including Yisrael Beiteinu, Otzma Yehudit, and others, submitted their lists on Monday. On Tuesday, the Shas party submitted its list, with the Likud party also expected to file later in the day. Shas representatives, including MK Chaim Biton, MK Michael Malchieli, and MK Yinon Azulai, stated that their list was approved by the Council of Torah Sages. Shas Chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri described the list as "an excellent and diverse team of action and mission," comprising "dedicated and experienced representatives who have proven their actions and earned great appreciation, alongside new and quality forces." He added that they would "continue to work with all our might for the world of Torah, the Jewish identity of the state, and all citizens of Israel, in the spirit of the legacy and path of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef."

By the end of Monday, 18 candidate lists had been submitted. The Elections Committee clarified that the submission of lists does not constitute their approval, and all lists, nicknames, and requested letters will be reviewed according to law. The process resumed Tuesday at 3:00 PM, with party representatives arriving at the registration tent starting at 1:00 PM and gaining entry to the Knesset until the 10:00 PM deadline.