Israeli Election Candidate Admits Failure, Vows to Continue Public Service

Netali Shem Tov, who ran third on the Am Ech LeYisrael party list, announced her resignation from public activity following the party's failure to pass the electoral threshold in the 26th Knesset elections. She took full personal responsibility for the list's defeat, thanking activists and stating her intention to remain involved in public life. Shem Tov, who joined politics only months ago, explained her decision to run stemmed from a deep sense of responsibility over societal and national failures, particularly after the October 7th attacks, which she described as an existential threat. Shem Tov, a former news anchor, joined the party in August, citing her observation of "unreasonable distortions" and the state "losing the Negev and Galilee." While acknowledging the need to review campaign management and mistakes, she affirmed her commitment to serving the Jewish state, stating that despair is the opposite of Zionism. She praised party chairman Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter as a "devoted public servant, brave leader, fighter, and man of truth," expressing hope for his future leadership. Shem Tov also called on the elected officials to unite and form a government, emphasizing the need for a "Jewish and democratic state." The Am Ech LeYisrael party, led by Winter, did not secure any seats according to election polls. Winter himself stated the party's "journey has just begun" and blamed the "national camp" for an "ugly campaign." During the election, past controversial statements by Shem Tov, positioning her far to the left of the party's intended platform, were revealed, following a similar controversy involving another party candidate, Yosef Haddad.