Gadi Eizenkot Welcomes Activist Alex Reef to Yisra Party to Challenge Chief Rabbinate Policies

Gadi Eizenkot, chairman of the Yisra party, announced the addition of public activist Alex Reef to his political movement on Tuesday. Reef is known for her outspoken opposition to the Chief Rabbinate's policies, particularly regarding Jewish status verification, conversion procedures, and marriage restrictions in Israel. She has been a prominent advocate for Russian-speaking Israelis and has led campaigns addressing these issues over the past decade.

In her statement, Reef shared her personal background, including her family's immigration to Israel 35 years ago and her grandfather's fight against the Nazis. She emphasized her commitment to improving the future for her children and pledged to dedicate her efforts to creating a better state. Reef highlighted her activism within the "Lobby of the Million," focusing on rights for Russian-speaking Israelis, support for impoverished Holocaust survivors, combating elder exploitation, and advocating for respectful conversion processes.

Reef explained that her decision to enter politics stems from the belief that real change can only be achieved through the Knesset. She chose to join Eizenkot's party because she views him as professional, ethical, and humane, and she considers Yisra the true home for Russian-speaking Israelis. Reef committed to advancing immigrant rights, ensuring that those who made the Zionist choice to immigrate feel welcomed, and improving state services by expanding language accessibility, enhancing ulpanim (Hebrew language schools), increasing employment opportunities, fighting racism, and reducing bureaucracy.

Eizenkot's recruitment of Reef signals his party's intent to address contentious issues surrounding the Chief Rabbinate and to strengthen representation for Russian-speaking immigrants ahead of upcoming elections.