Israeli Election: Yeshar Party Urges Smaller Parties Unite

Hours after the Yeshar party submitted its candidate list to Israel's Central Elections Committee, Member of Knesset Matan Kahana, who holds the fifth spot on the slate headed by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, sat down for an interview with Kikar Hashabbat on Monday evening. He addressed the recent departure of MK Michael Biton from the Blue and White party, outlined his vision for the next government coalition, and weighed in on the ongoing dispute surrounding a memorial gathering for the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Responding to Biton's exit from Blue and White, the party led by Benny Gantz, Kahana articulated Yeshar's position on smaller parties, a message implicitly directed at Gantz himself. "We've consistently said that parties not reaching six seats should either unite or withdraw," Kahana stated. "I believe he understood that this party cannot achieve a relevant result in the upcoming elections, and he made his decision accordingly."

When asked whether Yeshar's list might still see changes, Kahana was definitive: "Our list is closed and submitted. That train has left the station."

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Regarding what role he might assume in a future government, Kahana demurred: "We're not dividing the bear's skin before we've hunted it. With G-d's help, the Holy One will send me to a position that's right for the people of Israel and right for me."

Coalition Partners

Kahana also clarified which parties Yeshar would be willing to include in a governing coalition: "Our partners will be those who believe in a Jewish and democratic State of Israel, in the values of the Declaration of Independence, and in universal service. Currently, we don't see any Arab party that meets these criteria, and with all due respect and distinction, no haredi party either. Therefore, we will strive to establish the broadest possible Zionist government."

The term "haredi" refers to Israel's ultra-Orthodox political parties, which have historically sought exemptions from military service for their constituents, a point of contention with parties like Yeshar that advocate for universal national service.

Asked whether Yeshar could reach the 61-seat threshold needed to form a government, Kahana expressed confidence: "We'll reach 61 because we're working the ground, and we see the tremendous support Gadi is receiving. And you know, you could also ask Netanyahu what kind of government he's going to form with fewer Jewish seats, fewer Zionist seats than us. We will establish a Zionist government, broad and large, and we will replace this government."

The Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Memorial Controversy

Against the backdrop of controversy surrounding the annual memorial gathering for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef — the revered Sephardic spiritual leader and founder of the Shas party who passed away in 2013 — Kahana was asked for his position. Israel's Attorney General had instructed that the memorial event, funded by the Ministry of Religious Services, be postponed until after the elections to avoid the appearance of political campaigning.

"Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, deserves a memorial gathering that honors his legacy and his tremendous influence on the entire State of Israel and the Jewish world," Kahana said. "I believe this gathering must not become a political event. I think we all understand the concern that such a gathering could turn political. It is essential, absolutely essential, that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, have a memorial that honors his memory and is not political."

In closing, Kahana also commented on the recent removal of MK Moshe Gafni and MK Uri Maklev from their party's list: "Ultimately, these are people who gave a large portion of their years for the public that sent them. They deserve appreciation for that. I don't interfere in the considerations of those parties."