Yashar (political party)

Eisenkot announced in June 2025 that he planned to resign from the National Unity Party and Knesset.^[3] He later criticized National Unity for how it holds political primaries, with candidates chosen by the party assembly, which is "controlled by" party leader Benny Gantz. Eisenkot, in contrast, wanted to broaden the process to include all party members.^[4]

He started a new political party in September and said the party will "repair, heal, and give hope" and put "security and national interests above all". He also said he would be open to merging with other parties to maintain Israel "as a Jewish, democratic and strong state".^[5]

The party was founded with Shir Siegel, the daughter of former Gaza hostage Keith Siegel and Yoav Horowitz, former director general for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They are joined by former MKs Matan Kahana of National Unity, Tal Russo and Manuel Trajtenberg of Labor, as well as Nir Zohar, president of Wix, former general Yishai Beer, film producer Yariv Mozer, among others.^[6]

According to Kahana, the party name comes from an interview with former hostage Eli Sharabi, who said that releasing the other hostages was "not about right or left, but straight".^[7]

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Democrats leader Yair Golan congratulated Eisenkot on the move.^[4]

Shaul Meridor, who was the head of the budget division at the Ministry of Finance, joined the party in April 2026.^[8]

In May 2025, former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen joined the party.^[9]

The party platform outlines the following goals:^[10]

• Israel as Jewish and democratic state – Ensuring the existence of the State of Israel as the national home of the Jewish people, while preserving its character as a Jewish and democratic state in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.

• National security – Strengthening national security, and positioning Israel as a strong regional power with strategic assets, striving to establish peace agreements and cooperation with all countries in the region from a position of military and economic strength.

• Education – Establishing and prioritizing state (public) education as the foundation for deep societal processes of healing and mending internal divisions.

• Military service – Strengthening the IDF, and ensuring that every citizen serves military or national service, as defined by law, under a framework of "Service for All".

• Constitution – Leading the enactment of a constitution, based on a combination of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, existing Basic Laws, and the addition of a Basic Law on legislation to regulate checks and balances between the branches of government — so that the Knesset remains sovereign, the government is able to govern and implement policy, and the judicial system is strong and independent.

• Social inequality – Developing Israel's periphery, and reducing social gaps, so that all Israelis enjoy equal opportunities, equal rights, and equal responsibilities, enabling them to realize their full human potential.