As Israel approaches elections for the 26th Knesset on October 27, several newly established political parties are competing alongside established factions, with their prospects hinging on crossing the electoral threshold necessary for Knesset representation. Among these emerging entities are Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter’s People of Israel, Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha’s merged Reservists-Economic Party, Moti Leitner’s Haredi Public Party, and Sharren Haskel’s Israel First party. Each seeks to carve out a distinct political niche and influence the composition of the next government.
Founded in August 2026, People of Israel positions itself firmly within the right-wing camp, with leader Winter committed to backing Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister. The party aims to attract right-wing voters dissatisfied with existing parties and emphasizes military service, rejecting blanket exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. Winter has made passage of a conscription law a precondition for joining any future government. On Gaza, the party advocates for voluntary emigration as an alternative to containment policies. The list includes figures from diverse backgrounds, including Arab-Israeli activist Yosef Haddad.
In contrast, the Haredi Public Party, launched in July by Moti Leitner, targets the ultra-Orthodox community with an agenda challenging the established haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ). The party promotes greater integration of haredi men into military or national service while maintaining Torah study for some. It also calls for enforcement of secular core curriculum in haredi schools and enhanced support for haredi immigrants. The inclusion of Dr. Nechumi Yaffe, the first woman to run with a haredi party, marks a notable departure from traditional haredi political norms.
Israel First, established by former deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel, also occupies a right-wing stance but advocates building a broad Zionist government independent of reliance on ultra-Orthodox or Arab parties. The party opposes recent legislation favoring haredi draft exemptions. Jonathan Pollard, a former US Navy intelligence analyst imprisoned for spying for Israel, joined Israel First in August, promoting policies such as annexing Gaza and resettling it with Israelis, although Haskel herself has disavowed annexation proposals.
The most recent change came from the merger of Hendel’s The Reservists with Yaron Zelekha’s Economic Party after a split with former co-leader Chili Tropper. This joint list emphasizes universal conscription and Zionist governance as essential conditions for entering a coalition. Hendel-Zelekha combines security, Zionism, and economic expertise and positions itself centrally with a strong stance against blanket ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service.
The key common denominator among these parties is their stance on the ultra-Orthodox draft. Each rejects broad exemptions, demanding that any government formation includes a universal conscription law. Beyond this, their platforms differ, especially with regard to Gaza policy and coalition preferences.
Polling data has reflected volatility in their electoral prospects. While some surveys place People of Israel above the threshold with up to four seats, others show it falling short, with Hendel-Zelekha experiencing similar fluctuations. The Haredi Public Party and Israel First have yet to consistently cross the threshold in polls. With two of these parties potentially securing seats, they could play a decisive role in coalition negotiations in the next Knesset.
Ultimately, voters considering these options face a choice not only about policy priorities but also about the viability of these emerging parties to influence the balance of power in Israel’s next government. Crossing the electoral threshold remains the critical hurdle for these new political players seeking to reshape parts of Israel’s political landscape.