New Knesset to Feature Prominent Figures from Media, Security, and Protest Movements
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
The upcoming 26th Knesset will feature several prominent figures from media, security, and protest movements, including former Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen and ex-Ministry of Finance Director-General Shaul Meridor. These individuals are transitioning into politics with parties like Likud, Yishai!, and Together. Their entry reflects a growing trend of public figures from diverse backgrounds entering the Israeli parliament to influence policy.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- New Knesset members include media figures, former security chiefs, and protest leaders.
- Yaakov Bardugo, a Netanyahu confidant, and David Peter, a legal commentator, join Likud.
- Former senior civil servants Shaul Meridor and Keren Turner enter politics with different parties.
- Ex-Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen and retired Major General Noam Tibon join political parties.
- Social activists Yaya Fink and Omri Ronen will represent the Democrats party.
The upcoming 26th Knesset will include several high-profile individuals transitioning from media, public service, security, and protest leadership into politics. Among them are Yaakov Bardugo, a commentator aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and David Peter, a legal commentator who previously advised Netanyahu and other government figures. Both are entering the Knesset with the Likud party.
Former senior civil servants are also making the move. Shaul Meridor, who resigned as Director-General of the Ministry of Finance in 2020 following disagreements over economic policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, will join the Yishai! party. Keren Turner, also a former Director-General of the Ministry of Transport and Finance, will join the Together party. Meridor and Turner had previously worked together and publicly supported each other during disputes with the government.
Security figures entering politics include Yoram Cohen, former head of the Shin Bet, who joins Gadi Eisenkot's party, and Noam Tibon, a retired Major General who gained prominence for his actions on October 7th and subsequent advocacy for accountability. Moshe Feiglin, former Knesset member and chairman of the Zehut party, is returning to parliament.
Other notable entrants include Rafi Ben Shitrit, former mayor of Beit She'an and father of a soldier killed on October 7th, who joins Yisrael Beiteinu. Hananiel Dorfman, a close associate of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, moves from his role as chief of staff to the Knesset with the Otzma Yehudit party. Social activists Yaya Fink and Omri Ronen, both involved in protests against judicial reform and advocating for social and economic equality, will represent the Democrats party.
The influx of these individuals signifies a trend of media personalities, former public officials, security personnel, and protest leaders entering the political arena, with some continuing long-standing public service and others embarking on their first parliamentary careers.
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