Democrats Party Chair Yair Golan Declines Reserved Seats for Einav Tsangoker

Yair Golan, chairman of the Israeli Democrats party, informed Einav Tsangoker that he decided not to allocate any reserved spots for her on the party's Knesset list. This announcement came about two weeks after the party's primaries on July 20, which determined the candidate list for the upcoming elections. Over 86% of eligible voters, approximately 97,000 party members, participated in the digital primaries, which used a zipper system alternating men and women on the list.

Golan leads the list, followed by Naama Lazimi, Gilad Kariv, and Efrat Rayten. Other candidates selected include Yaya Pink, Gabi Leski, Omri Ronen, Michal Rozin, Moshe Redman Abutbul, and Somia Bashir. Prior to the primaries, it was decided that Meretz representatives would receive three reserved spots at positions 6, 8, and 14. Golan's decision specifically concerns additional reserved placements from his side, which means Tsangoker will not be included on the list.

Einav Tsangoker is known as the mother of former captive Matan Tsangoker and has remained active in public life following her son's release. Last month, she spoke at a rally marking 1,000 days since the war in the Kidnap Square. The Democrats party's candidate list formation and Golan's refusal to reserve a spot for Tsangoker highlight internal party decisions ahead of the elections.