Josh Breiner, a journalist at the left-leaning Israeli daily Haaretz, sharply criticized the positioning of Yonatan Shalev on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's electoral list on Monday, raising questions about the decision to place him in a high-ranking spot ahead of several well-known political figures.
"Once again, I'm on about Yonatan Shalev," he wrote. "This guy's placement won't let me rest. How? On what basis and why?"
He clarified that his criticism was not about including young candidates on the list, a practice he supports,but rather about his specific ranking relative to other contenders. "Young people are important. Put them at the top. But ahead of Nissan Zaevi? Naor Shiri? Beliak? What's going on here," he wrote, referring to sitting members of Knesset, Israel's parliament.
Breiner intensified his critique by connecting it to what he sees as the stakes of the upcoming election: "These elections are too fateful for work arrangements for someone's kids."
He concluded with a suggestion that changes could still be made: "It's not too late yet."
This is not the first time Shalev's placement has drawn criticism. Breiner had previously addressed the matter, writing: "Tell me, Yonatan Shalev. With all appreciation for his military service, I admit the man somehow passed under my radar and honestly he seems like a good guy, but if I may ask: on what basis and why is he getting a guaranteed seat in the next Knesset?"
