Naftali Bennett Adds Northern Israel Activist to Party

Naftali Bennett, leader of the Yachad party, announced Tuesday that Nissan Zaevi will join the party's slate for the 26th Knesset. Zaevi is a member of Kibbutz Kfar Giladi near the Lebanese border and has led efforts to rehabilitate Israel's northern confrontation line. He founded the "Habayta - Returning to the Galilee" movement and "Lobby 1701," which advocates for enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Separately, Chili Tropper, another party figure, stated publicly for the first time that he would not serve in a government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The recruitment is part of Bennett's effort to strengthen his party list with figures who have practical experience in public service. In recent weeks, the list has also added MK Eitan Ginzburg, a former communications minister who left the Blue and White party, and Mati Gil, CEO of AION Labs and a high-tech entrepreneur.

Zaevi represents the third generation of pioneering settlers in the Galilee region. Since October 7, he has served more than 400 days of reserve duty as a member of his kibbutz's standby squad, while his family was evacuated from their home. During the war, he established the "Habayta - Returning to the Galilee" movement and "Lobby 1701" to represent northern residents in their struggle to restore security and develop the region.

Zaevi served as a senior advisor to several ministers and Knesset members in Israeli governments. He later moved to the private sector, holding senior management positions in investment and innovation.

Bennett said of the recruitment: "I am proud to add Nissan, a fighter and entrepreneur at heart, to Israel's repair team. Nissan has been fighting in an inspiring way for three years, first for his home, and then for the rehabilitation of the entire north. The resilient spirit he has brought to the north since October 7, Nissan will bring to the nation's repair team. This is also the team that will know how to develop the north, restore residents' trust, and ensure their security and prosperity."

Zaevi explained his decision to enter politics: "After three years of fighting for home, 400 reserve days, and a government that disconnected from the north, I understood that I can no longer stand on the sidelines—the time has come to enter the arena, to represent the confrontation line in the place where decisions about our future are made, and to care for the Galilee from within."

He added: "I am joining Naftali Bennett because the State of Israel now needs a leader with experience, management ability, and above all, execution capability. He was with us when the government disconnected from the Galilee and its residents, and he comes with work plans that are just waiting for implementation and execution. I am entering politics to be the voice of northern residents, to restore hope, to strengthen the borders, and to rebuild our home."