Yashar (political party)

In June 2025, Gadi Eisenkot announced his intention to resign from National Unity and the Knesset. He criticized the party as being dominated by leader Benny Gantz.^[5] Eisenkot officially established Yashar in September 2025 to "repair, heal, and give hope" while prioritizing "security and national interests above all."^[6] He expressed openness to merging with other factions to maintain Israel as "a Jewish, democratic and strong state".^[7]

According to MK Matan Kahana, who also joined the party, the party's name, meaning "straight", "honest", or "truthful", was inspired by an interview with former Gaza War hostage Eli Sharabi, who remarked that securing the return of captives was "not about right or left, but straight".^[8] The party's formation was welcomed by opposition leaders Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid and Yair Golan of The Democrats.^[6]

Eisenkot, who is viewed as the most likely candidate to replace Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, outlined three conditions in July 2026 for building a governing coalition with other parties, namely to "recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, endorse the values of the Declaration of Independence and commit to all Israelis performing national service".^[9] Ilan Mans, a party member, was assaulted as he was trying to remove a banner that called for the release of Yigal Amir, the killer of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.^[10]

Eisenkot has made preparations to form a minority government after the election.^[11] On 14 August, Haaretz published an article reporting that he was willing to form a minority government if Zionist opposition parties fail to achieve the 61 seats needed for a Knesset majority.^[12] In response, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman rejected this idea, stating that his party will not be part of a minority government.^[13]

Eisenkot has made outreach to Shas supporters, including asking Shas member Tzuriel Krispel to join the Yashar slate, though he declined. Shas expressed concern that Eisenkot has the potential to attract its traditional Sephardi voters towards Yashar.^[14]

Yashar was launched with a core group of founding figures from civic, security, and political backgrounds, including Shir Siegel (daughter of former Gaza hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel), former Netanyahu chief of staff Yoav Horowitz [he], and former MKs Matan Kahana (National Unity), Tal Russo, and Manuel Trajtenberg (Labor). Other founding members include Inbar Harush Gity, Nir Zohar of Wix, former general Yishai Beer, and film producer Yariv Mozer.^[15][16]

Ahead of the 2026 election, the party expanded its roster with several high-profile additions, with various politicians, including former MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen (Blue and White),^[17] and Ramat Gan Deputy Mayor Israel Zari [he].^[18] The list also includes government officials, such as former Ministry of Finance budget chief Shaul Meridor^[19] and former Welfare Ministry chief of staff Inbar Yehezkeli.^[17] Others include those in the security sector, such as former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen^[20] and former COGAT chief Kamil Abu Rokon.^[21] Former Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern and former Kulanu MK Roy Folkman joined the political party on 24 August.^[22]

Adi Altschuler joined the party in early September and was designated the party's education minister if it comes to power.^[23]

Shirel Hogeg, the CEO of AM:PM, was added to the slate on 10 August.^[24] Hogeg subsequently decided against becoming a candidate on the party's list.^[25]

Yashar's party platform has 10 steps for working towards Israel's prosperity, listed in the party website as follows:^[26]

1. State commission for 7 October – an inquiry to investigate the October 7 attacks and assist in the rehabilitation of victims
2. National security – establish a systemic national strategy for Israeli security through strengthening the IDF, fortifying borders, and expanding the circle of peace, to ensure a Jewish majority
3. Military service – Integration of Haredi and Arab Israelis into Israeli military service, to ensure an equality in burden
4. Education – establish a core education curriculum for all Israelis in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, and also to decentralize powers and improve technological studies
5. Law enforcement – restore security on the streets on Israel by tackling crime, especially in Arab communities
6. Cost of living – integrate all of Israeli society into the labor and service markets, provide state incentives for those who bear security and economic burden, along with public investment into transportation, education, health care, and the periphery
7. Democracy and public service – protect minority rights, human rights, and the rule of law, maintain legislative and judicial independence, enact term limits for prime minister, and keep public service professional, for the benefit of Israeli citizens
8. Social polarization – reduce social polarization to renew public trust, preserve Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, promote inclusive and respectful Judaism, so that all citizens can maintain their faith and lifestyle, expand independence of local authorities, provide a high quality of life through improved transportation, health, education, and cultural services
9. Jewish immigration – prevent brain drain by strengthening aliyah, with the goal of 1 million immigrants in 10 years, and another million by 2048
10. Centennial of State of Israel – establish a strong planning authority that will make Israel a prosperous model state based on partnership, brotherhood, and mutual responsibility by the country's centennial in 2048

Current Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot has also committed to preserve and protect Israel's Law of Return, including its Grandchild Clause, which allows anyone with a single Jewish grandparent to immigrate to Israel and to seek an Israeli safe haven from anti-Semitism abroad.^[27]