Israeli Parties Finalize New Candidate Lists Ahead of October Elections

With less than a month remaining before the candidate list deadline for Israel's 26th Knesset elections on October 27, major parties are finalizing their rosters, featuring many new faces alongside veteran politicians. The Likud party is preparing for dramatic primaries on Monday, which could introduce newcomers like Silicon Valley businessman Oren Dobronski, who is expected to secure a realistic spot on the list. Likud's list also includes reserved slots chosen by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot's new party "Yashar!" has been actively recruiting prominent figures, including former Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen and retired generals Shaul Meridor and Kamil Abu Rokon. The party also added social activists, former senior public servants, and security veterans. Eizenkot also brought in two former ministers from Blue and White, Matan Kahana and Orit Farkash-Hacohen.

The "Together" party, led by former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, has also been assembling a list without primaries, including young military figures like Jonathan Shalev, a 23-year-old Maglan unit commander, and public sector leaders such as Liran Abisher Ben-Horin and Keren Turner.

The Democratic Party, led by retired General Yair Golan, held primaries last month, elevating activists from the anti-judicial reform protests like Naama Lazimi, Gilad Kariv, and Efrat Rayten. Other notable candidates include social activists and former MKs who may return to the Knesset.

Religious Zionism's list features Zvika Mor, father of Gilad Shalit captive survivor Eitan Mor, expected to be placed in a realistic slot. Israel Beytenu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, is finalizing its list without primaries, recently welcoming MK Dan Illouz, who defected from Likud, and several individuals connected to the October 7 attacks.

Among the "Third Bloc" parties, the Zionist Camp of former ministers Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel is polling above the threshold and has added bereaved family members of October 7 victims. The Unity party, led by former ministers Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein, recently added former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch and Olympic medalist Oren Smadja.

Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz, remains below the electoral threshold and has yet to officially add new candidates, though talks of a merger with retired Brigadier General Dedi Simchi, who lost his son in the October 7 massacre, have been reported.

Overall, the upcoming elections are set to bring a significant influx of new public figures, military veterans, and activists into the Knesset, reflecting the political shifts following the recent security and social upheavals in Israel.