Former Premier Naftali Bennett Appoints Reservist Leader Yonatan Shalev to Top Electoral Position

Former PM Naftali Bennett adds 23-year-old activist Yonatan Shalev to his slate, focusing on youth leadership and military conscription reform in Israel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 3:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Strategic Integration of Reservist Leadership into Political Slate

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has formalized a political alliance with the Shoulder to Shoulder movement by appointing its co-founder, Yonatan Shalev, to his party’s electoral list. The 23-year-old reservist activist is expected to occupy a high-profile position at the forefront of the party’s leadership. According to a joint statement released on Wednesday, the movement views Bennett’s party as its natural moral home, citing the former leader’s perceived ability to address the nation’s structural challenges and provide a stable future for the country’s youth.

Youth Activism and the Drive for Conscription Reform

Shalev’s movement has gained prominence as an advocacy group for young soldiers and reservists, specifically pushing for the conscription of the Haredi community into military service. By bringing Shalev into the party's core leadership, Bennett is aligning his campaign with the growing demand for a more equitable distribution of national service burdens. Shalev asserted that Bennett is the only political figure capable of rehabilitating the population and rebuilding the state’s institutions in the wake of prolonged regional conflict.

Bennett Cites the Resilience of the Post-October 7 Generation

In announcing the new addition, Bennett emphasized the critical role played by young Israelis when traditional leadership structures faltered during the events of October 7. He argued that the younger generation demonstrated unprecedented bravery and initiative, saving the state during a period of collapse. According to Bennett, the energy and dedication of this demographic are essential for the country’s recovery, making their participation in the highest levels of government a necessity for the "day after" the current hostilities.