Israeli Political Figures of the Year Named by 'Iron Domes' Panel
A panel of Israeli political commentators on the "Iron Domes" program from the Srugim website has named their "People of the Year" for the Hebrew political year 5786 (roughly September 2025 to September 2026), reflecting on a tumultuous political year. The participants, Arie Yoeli, Yossi Ben-Ater, and Yossi Sergofsky, also identified major disappointments and political moves.
Arie Yoeli selected Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar" party, for his rapid rise from leaving the "Blue and White" party to becoming a leading contender for prime minister, praising his "killer instinct" and ability to unite a camp against Prime Minister Netanyahu. Yossi Sergofsky chose MK Uri Maklev for his dedicated service to ordinary citizens, noting his availability even late at night. Yossi Ben-Ater picked Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for bringing fringe issues into the mainstream discourse, particularly regarding the Temple Mount and governance. Program host Natanel Izak selected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting his political resilience and security achievements, comparing him to Ariel Sharon and predicting his continued relevance.
Disappointments of the year included Naftali Bennett, chosen by Ben-Ater for his perceived strategic errors, especially his alliance with Yair Lapid, which he believes led to a significant loss of voter support. Sergofsky and Yoeli both pointed to MKs Yuli Edelstein and Yoav Gallant for obstructing conscription laws, arguing these actions hindered national progress. Izak named Benny Gantz as a disappointment, noting his decline from a strong polling position to leading a party that lost key figures like Gantz and Eisenkot.
Key political moves discussed were the passage of the 2026 state budget, selected by Yoeli as crucial for Netanyahu's government survival. Sergofsky criticized the Haredi-backed arrest law as a "joke on the public," while Ben-Ater lamented the "collapse of center-right alternatives," leaving many religious Zionists without a political home. Izak reiterated Bennett and Lapid's union as a move that propelled voters towards Eisenkot.
In the religious sector, Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, was honored by Yoeli for leading the return to northern Samaria settlements. Sergofsky praised yeshiva students for enduring sanctions and Minister Bezalel Smotrich for fostering settlement construction. Ben-Ater selected Shin Bet head David Zini for his professionalism amidst media scrutiny, and Izak also chose Smotrich for his work in establishing settlement administration and preventing a de facto Palestinian state.
Looking ahead, Ben-Ater predicted Netanyahu could lose without a security event, potentially leading to new elections or a minority government under Eisenkot, but would win if such an event occurred. Izak anticipates Netanyahu will remain in office, possibly forming a broad unity government with Eisenkot.
