New Knesset Members Include Figures Linked to October 7 and Political Battles

The newly elected Knesset includes prominent public figures, former high-ranking officials, security personnel, and activists, many of whom have been associated with significant recent events in Israel. Among the newcomers are individuals connected to the October 7th Hamas attacks, the judicial overhaul controversy, and opposition to the current government. The composition of the new parliament, as reported by The Jerusalem Post, features a mix of experienced politicians and notable personalities previously outside parliamentary politics.

Several new MKs gained public recognition through their involvement in political conflicts and their stances on the Netanyahu government. Yaakov Bardugo, a political commentator and strong supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, secured a reserved spot on the Likud list. Bardugo previously held senior positions in the Federation of Local Authorities and the national lottery "Mifal HaPayis." Lawyer David Peter, also joining Likud, is known for his legal work related to government litigation and has represented Netanyahu, Yariv Levin, and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Peter's conservative views on constitutional law may bolster the position of judicial reform proponents.

From the "Yashar" party, Shaul Meridor, former head of the Finance Ministry's budget department and director-general of the Energy Ministry, will enter the Knesset. Meridor resigned in August 2020 due to significant disagreements with then-Finance Minister Israel Katz and Netanyahu over economic policy. Keren Turner, representing the "B'Yachad" party, previously served as director-general for the Ministries of Transport and Finance, working alongside Meridor during periods of tension between professional and political leadership in the Finance Ministry. Both former senior civil servants will now serve in the Knesset for different political factions, reflecting a growing trend of former state employees entering politics.

Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, who led the internal security agency from 2011 to 2016, is also among the new MKs for "Yashar." Cohen, who belongs to the religious Zionist camp, has been critical of Netanyahu's government decisions. Retired Major General Noam Tibon, elected for "B'Yachad," commanded the Northern Corps and the Judea and Samaria Division. Tibon gained widespread attention after the October 7th attack when he went to rescue his son and grandson near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, participating in rescues of other residents. He later joined campaigns demanding accountability for security failures preceding the attack.

Moshe Feiglin, founder of the Zehut party, returns to the Knesset after previously representing Likud. He ran on a joint list of religious Zionists and his own party, known for his hardline nationalist positions and support for "Greater Israel." Rafi Ben Shitrit, former mayor of Beit She'an and now with "Yisrael Beiteinu," also enters the Knesset. His son, Elroy Ben Shitrit, was killed defending Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7th, and Ben Shitrit has been active in advocating for a state commission of inquiry into the events.

Hanamel Dorfman, formerly head of Itamar Ben-Gvir's office at the Ministry of National Security, will serve as an MK for "Otzma Yehudit." He is considered a close associate of Ben-Gvir and has been mentioned in investigations by the Justice Ministry's police integrity unit. From the "Democrats" party, Yair Fink, co-founder of "Lobby 99," and Omri Ronen, a lawyer and reserve officer from the "Maglan" unit and co-founder of "Brothers in Arms," have been elected. Fink was a prominent participant in protests against the judicial overhaul, while Ronen, whose grandmother was killed on October 7th in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, participated in fighting near the Gaza border and the protest movement.