Naftali Bennett Appoints Yonatan Shalev to Political Slate Ahead of 2026 Elections

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has appointed 23-year-old Yonatan Shalev, a military reservist and activist, to his party's electoral slate for the upcoming 2026 national elections. Shalev is the co-founder of the Shoulder to Shoulder movement, which advocates for Haredi conscription and represents reservists and young soldiers. In a joint statement, the movement expressed that Bennett's party is their "moral and natural home," emphasizing their belief in his capability to improve Israel's future.

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Bennett highlighted the role of the younger generation in the aftermath of the Hamas-led terror attack on October 7, 2023, stating, “We discovered that we have the best young generation in the history of the State of Israel.” Shalev, who served in the Israel Defense Forces following the attack, has been vocal about his criticisms of the current government, particularly regarding its treatment of citizens with differing values.

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Shalev has emerged as a prominent opponent of legislation that would exempt ultra-Orthodox men from military service, arguing that such laws jeopardize the future of young Israelis. Bennett has also criticized these exemptions and pledged to investigate the "sabotage of Haredi enlistment" if elected. He aims to introduce a "flagship law" that would provide benefits for soldiers and reservists while denying benefits to those who choose not to serve.

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Bennett's recent appointments to his slate include Keren Terner and Liran Avisar Ben-Horin, both of whom have faced criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. Likud accused Terner of being associated with the Brothers in Arms movement, which they claim undermines military service. In response, Bennett's party threatened legal action against Likud for defamation, asserting that Terner has never been involved in calls for refusal to serve.

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Reports indicate that Bennett has structured his party, tentatively named Bennett 2026, to maintain control over its operations for the next decade. This includes provisions that would allow him to remain party chairman until 2034 and to have significant influence over candidate selection and ministerial appointments. Bennett's previous government collapsed in 2022 due to defections, and he aims to prevent a repeat of that scenario.

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Opposition Leader Yair Lapid congratulated Shalev on his political entry, referring to their alliance as the "Covenant of Brothers." However, critics have raised concerns about Bennett's coalition-building strategies, suggesting that he may again align with leftist factions and the Muslim Brotherhood, as seen in his previous government.

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• “We are answering the call of the moment and stepping forward to bring change,” — Yonatan Shalev, Activist

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• “when Israel’s leadership collapsed, the younger generation rose up, fought and saved the State of Israel.” — Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister

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• “Congratulations to Yonatan Shalev on entering politics! Under the ‘Covenant of Brothers,’ that automatically makes you my nephew,” — Yair Lapid, Opposition Leader

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Shalev's potential election could make him the youngest lawmaker in Israel's history, surpassing the current record held by Moshe Nissim, who was elected at age 24 in 1959. As the political landscape evolves, Bennett and Shalev's efforts will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the elections.

Times of Israel