Who are the high-profile names making their way into politics for the first time? - explainer

OCTOBER 31, 2026 13:21Updated: OCTOBER 31, 2026 13:29With the vote count complete, the makeup of the next Knesset is becoming clear. Alongside veteran politicians, several figures with high public profiles and notable personal and political stories will enter parliament.Their election reflects a shift from the media, senior public service positions, the security establishment, and protest movements into politics. For some, it is a direct continuation of years of public activity. For others, it will be their first opportunity to try to shape policy from inside the Knesset. These are the names to know.Yaakov Bardugo, LikudA Channel 14 commentator and associate of Benjamin Netanyahu, Bardugo has become one of the most prominent voices aligned with the prime minister in recent years. He has a long career in public life, including serving as director-general of the Federation of Local Authorities and of Mifal Hapayis, Israel’s national lottery. He now moves from television studios to the Knesset after being given a reserved spot on Likud’s candidate list.David Peter, LikudA lawyer, legal commentator and former researcher at the Kohelet Policy Forum, Peter has been closely involved in the government’s legal battles in recent years. He has represented Netanyahu, Yariv Levin and Itamar Ben-Gvir in various proceedings. He enters the Knesset with extensive knowledge of the battle over the judiciary and conservative positions on constitutional law.Shaul Meridor attends an election panel with Members of Knesset and candidates in Israel’s upcoming general elections in Givatayim, October 6, 2026. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)Shaul Meridor, YasharMeridor previously headed the Finance Ministry’s Budget Department and served as director-general of the Energy Ministry. He resigned as budget director in August 2020 following a bitter clash with then-finance minister Israel Katz and Netanyahu over the government’s economic policies during the coronavirus crisisKeren Terner, B’YachadA former director-general of both the Transportation and Finance ministries, Terner was one of the most senior women in Israel’s public service. She and Meridor worked together in the Finance Ministry’s senior ranks during a battle over the independence of its professional staff. She publicly supported Meridor after Netanyahu attacked him, drawing criticism from Katz. The two now return to public life in different parties, Meridor with Yashar and Terner with B’Yachad.Yoram Cohen, YasharCohen headed the Shin Bet from 2011 to 2016. A member of the religious Zionist community with a long security career, he entered politics through Gadi Eisenkot’s party. In recent years, he has criticized the government’s conduct and Netanyahu’s policies, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the securityNoam Tibon, B’YachadA retired major-general, Tibon previously commanded the Northern Corps, the Judea and Samaria Division and the Nahal Brigade. He became particularly well known on the morning of October 7, when he and his wife set out to rescue their son and his family from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, helping rescue other residents along the way. Since then, he has been involved in the public campaign demanding accountability for the failures surrounding the war.Moshe Feiglin attends a hearing at the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on petitions challenging the UNRWA laws passed by the Knesset, August 3, 2026 (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)Moshe Feiglin, Religious Zionist Party, joint Religious Zionist Party and Zehut listThe leader of Zehut and a former Likud MK, Feiglin returns to the Knesset after years outside parliamentary politics. In the 1990s, he led opposition to the Oslo Accords. He later challenged Netanyahu for the Likud leadership and founded his own party. He is associated with support for Greater Israel, changes to the status quo on the Temple Mount and libertarian economic policies.Rafi Ben Shitrit, Yisrael BeytenuA former mayor of Beit She’an and longtime Likud member, Ben Shitrit left the party in which he built his political career to join Avigdor Liberman. His son, Elroi Ben Shitrit, was killed defending the Nahal Oz military outpost on October 7. Since then, he has become a leading figure in the campaign for a state commission of inquiry through the October Council.Hanamel Dorfman, Otzma YehuditBen-Gvir’s former chief of staff at the National Security Ministry, Dorfman is one of the minister’s closest associates. He was involved in the ministry’s work and its relations with the police and other law enforcement agencies. His name also surfaced in investigations by the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigation Department, in which he was questioned as a suspect. He now moves from a central role behind the scenes at the ministry to the Knesset.Yair “Yaya” Fink, The DemocratsA social and political activist, Fink is a co-founder of Lobby 99 and a former CEO of the Darkenu movement. He was a leader of the protests against the judicial overhaul and established a reservists’ campaign for equal military service. He enters the Knesset with a socioeconomic agenda, an emphasis on sharing the burden of service equally, and a liberal religious identity.Omri Ronen, The DemocratsA lawyer, reserve officer in the Maglan commando unit, and co-founder of Brothers in Arms, Ronen was born in Kfar Aza. He lost his grandmother in the October 7 attack and took part in the fighting in communities near the Gaza border. He was a leader of the protests against the judicial overhaul and now moves from public activism to the Knesset.Follow us on Google