Yashar (political party)

Eisenkot announced in June 2025 that he planned to resign from the National Unity Party and Knesset.^[4] 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.^[5]

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".^[6]

According to MK Matan 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.^[5]

By early July 2026, as Yashar has become the largest opposition party ahead of the 2026 election, Eisenkot has outlined three conditions 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".^[8]

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. Former MKs Matan Kahana of National Unity, Tal Russo and Manuel Trajtenberg of Labor also joined the party, as did Nir Zohar, president of Wix, former general Yishai Beer, and film producer Yariv Mozer.^[9]

Shaul Meridor, head of the budget division at the Ministry of Finance, joined the party in April 2026.^[10] Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen joined the party in May 2026.^[11]

Yashar's party platform has 10 steps for working towards Israel's prosperity, listed in the party website as follows:^[12]

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