Naftali Bennett announced Monday that four women have joined his Bayit Yehudi (Together) party's Knesset candidate list, bringing the party's female representation to seventeen candidates and establishing women as the majority of the party's electoral slate.
The four new candidates represent a range of professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds. Bruria Naaim Arman, the first addition, has served as acting CEO of Bayit Yehudi since its founding and built the party's national field operations. Arman previously served as chief of staff to the Transportation Minister and Deputy Defense Minister, worked as deputy director general at the Israel Airports Authority, and currently runs a community relations firm.
Esti Eilon Kubo, formerly head of Israel's economic mission to China, brings diplomatic experience to the slate. Kubo, an attorney with a master's degree in diplomacy, was born in Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel after traveling overland through Sudan. She represented Israel at international economic forums.
Orly Harel, an attorney and entrepreneur in artificial intelligence and medical technology, is also known as the author of "Innovation Club." Harel was previously active in Likud, established the "Women of Likud Jerusalem" forum, and was named by the Jerusalem Post as one of the one hundred most influential Jewish women globally.
Olesia Kantor, a social entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded the "Heart of Fire" initiative in the wake of October 7, providing free trauma treatment to frontline survivors and bereaved mothers. Kantor has also managed a fund assisting women and children leaving domestic violence situations for over a decade.
Bennett characterized the additions as strengthening what he called the party's "true team for fixing the State of Israel." In a statement, he said: "The true team for fixing the State of Israel is receiving significant reinforcement with the addition of Orly, Bruria, Esti and Olesia, a true Israeli mosaic of accomplished women from the front row, each in her field."
The former prime minister also addressed the party's female majority status. "In the Bayit Yehudi party, there is a female majority, not because of gender, but because of a simple decision we made when we set out --- to bring together the best of the best," Bennett said. "Together we will fix."
The additions represent Bennett's effort to build a broad coalition with deep roots across Israeli civil society, bringing together entrepreneurs, diplomats, attorneys, and philanthropic leaders ahead of elections.
