Who they are
Born in 1971 on Moshav Neve Yamin to Greek Holocaust survivors who helped found it, Gani Gonen served as an IDF education officer and holds degrees from Beit Berl and Tel Aviv University. Her whole career is local government: youth coordinator at Drom HaSharon from 1993, then two decades at Kfar Saba, ending as the city's chief executive. In 2018 she became the first woman to head the Drom HaSharon regional council.
Positions and record
The rural space: Wrote that urban construction is trampling the countryside rather than cooperating with it, and calls the planning profligate and unwise.
Local government: Says the time has come to connect action from the ground with decision-making nationally.
Women in leadership: Argues women should not have to choose between motherhood and career, and that gender discrimination in politics persists.
LGBTQ+ inclusion: After her council canceled a conference by an organization whose messaging was found harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, a Petah Tikva court ruled in February 2026 that the cancellation was not discrimination.
Where they stand
Holds the party line on every issue.
Judea & Samariaparty lineNo Palestinian state, which Eisenkot has never supported, but a pragmatic approach whose aim is to keep a Jewish majority and stop Israel becoming a binational state.
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & Securityparty lineA new security doctrine, and an alternative government in Gaza on Israel's terms. Eisenkot pressed for the Rafah operation as leverage for a hostage deal.
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi Enlistmentparty lineEvery citizen is called up, to the army first and to civilian service otherwise, and those who dodge it face prosecution and civil sanctions. Each year no more than 3% of those due to enlist can be exempted, and everyone else serves. The party does not say who would qualify.
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
Judiciaryparty lineA judiciary that is strong, independent and accountable, a Knesset that is sovereign, and a Basic Law: Legislation strengthening the Knesset's own authority.
Court can strike lawsKnesset can override
Economyparty lineWork should pay more than a benefit, with priority always going to those who serve and work. Break up the concentration groups and open the market to parallel imports.
Social spendingFree market
Educationparty lineCore studies are the condition for full public funding, with a national council setting the core, while budget and authority devolve to town halls and to heads.
State runs the schoolsParents and communities
Religion & Stateparty lineCivil union institutionalised in Israel, Shabbat in the public space left to each locality, and women seated on religious councils and on the assemblies that elect rabbis.
Civil / pluralistReligious authority
Nation & Citizenshipparty lineA solid Jewish majority for generations, with equal rights, duties and opportunities for every Israeli and minority rights named explicitly, in a state that stays Jewish and democratic in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
