Former PM Naftali Bennett Adds Four Women to Yachdav Party List, Calling It a Major Boost

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Yachdav party leader Naftali Bennett announced on Tuesday the addition of four women to the party's Knesset candidate list. The new members are Bruria Naim, the party's CEO; Esti Kovo, former head of Israel's economic mission to China; Orly Harel, the party's women's division leader and an entrepreneur; and Olesya Kantor, head of the party's Russian-speaking division and a philanthropist. With these additions, the party's list now includes 17 women. Bennett described the new members as "a true Israeli mosaic of leading women in their fields," emphasizing that the party's female majority is based on merit rather than gender.

Bruria Naim has served as Yachdav's CEO since its founding and has built the party's nationwide grassroots network of over 200 branches and tens of thousands of activists. She also leads CR Kesher Community Relations and has held senior roles in public transportation and defense ministries. Esti Kovo, born in Ethiopia and an immigrant to Israel, has extensive experience in economic diplomacy and international trade negotiations. She holds degrees in law and diplomacy. Orly Harel is an entrepreneur in generative AI and medicine, a former Likud activist, and an award-winning technology leader recognized internationally. She is also a lawyer with degrees from the Hebrew University. Olesya Kantor is a social entrepreneur who founded the "Lev Esh" initiative to support survivors and bereaved families of the October 7 attacks. She also established a philanthropic fund aiding women and children escaping violence and was named among the 50 most influential Jews worldwide by The Jerusalem Post. She holds degrees in literature, communications, and art history.

Bennett stated, "The Israeli repair team receives a significant boost with the addition of Orly, Bruria, Esti, and Olesya. Together, we will fix Israel." The party continues to emphasize recruiting the best candidates regardless of gender, aiming to strengthen its political impact in the upcoming elections.