Democrats Party Announces Record 51 Candidates for July Primaries

The Israeli political party Democrats, led by former IDF General and Knesset member Yair Golan, revealed a record 51 candidates for its upcoming primary elections scheduled for July 20. The announcement included the addition of Moran Zar Katzenstein, founder of Bonot Alternativa, to the party. Among the notable candidates are Daniel Elgart, brother of Itzik Elgart who was kidnapped and killed by Hamas in Gaza on October 7, as well as Yariv Oppenheimer, Tomer Avital, Gilad Kariv, Efrat Reitan, and Naama Lazimi.

The party highlighted its growth with approximately 85,000 registered members, claiming to have the largest membership base in its political bloc and across the country. The candidate list reflects broad representation from various sectors and regions, ranging from Beit Jann in the north to Sde Boker in the south. It includes Jewish, Druze, Arab, and LGBTQ+ candidates, with 19 women featured. The party's bylaws mandate a gender alternation system on the Knesset list to ensure balanced representation.

In a letter to the candidates, party CEO Omer Loveton-Garnot emphasized the Democrats' commitment to transparency, openness, ethics, and stability, contrasting their approach with other political factions that rely on closed-door decisions or single leaders. He urged candidates, including current and former Knesset members and newcomers, to maintain respectful discourse, uphold freedom of expression, and adhere to party values and the law during the primaries.

The Democrats present themselves as a democratic alternative aiming to lead genuine change in Israel's political landscape, with a diverse and strengthened base preparing for the July 20 primaries.