New Initiative "Choose Wisely" Analyzes Candidates for 26th Knesset

A new independent initiative called "Choose Wisely" (Boherim Hacham) has released a comprehensive analysis of candidates vying for seats in the 26th Knesset, aiming to shift the focus from party leaders to the individuals themselves. The project, which analyzes candidates in realistic positions on party lists based on poll averages, provides data on their education, professional backgrounds, and personal circumstances.

According to the analysis, lawyers are expected to constitute over one-fifth of the next Knesset, with 27 such candidates in prominent positions. The "Otzma Yehudit" party leads in this category with three realistic candidates. Individuals with backgrounds in education are also projected to make up about a fifth of the Knesset. Notably, the "Democrats" party has no realistic candidates with an education background, while the Democrats, the Joint List, and Ra'am boast 100% of their realistic candidates holding higher education degrees. Shas, in contrast, has 50%.

Approximately a quarter of the prospective Knesset members, or 31 out of 120 candidates, come from local government positions, including six former mayors or council heads. Around 15 candidates, or one-eighth of the total, are former senior security officials, including retired Lieutenant Colonels and above, as well as high-ranking Mossad and Shin Bet personnel. Six of these security-focused candidates are with the "Yashar" party. Additionally, 38 candidates served in combat roles.

The age range of candidates varies significantly, from 24-year-old Yonatan Shilo (Bichad) to 79-year-old Haim Katz (Likud). The most common age group among realistic candidates is 40-49, with 38 individuals, while the 20-29 age bracket is relatively rare, featuring only one or two candidates.

Tragically, six realistic candidates have lost a first-degree relative in the recent war. Among them are Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar), whose son fell in Gaza, and Shira Shapira (Yashar), whose son was killed on October 7th. Israel Beiteinu has two such candidates, and the Likud and Bichad parties also have candidates who are bereaved families. Geographically, 12.5% of realistic candidates reside in the West Bank settlements, a disproportionately high representation compared to their share of the national population. Tel Aviv and the Central district have the highest concentrations of candidates, representing 23.3% and 21.7% respectively.