Who they are
Born in 1971 on Moshav Neve Yamin to Greek Holocaust survivors who helped found it, Gani Gonen served as an IDF education officer and holds degrees from Beit Berl and Tel Aviv University. Her whole career is local government: youth coordinator at Drom HaSharon from 1993, then two decades at Kfar Saba, ending as the city's chief executive. In 2018 she became the first woman to head the Drom HaSharon regional council.
Positions and record
The rural space: Wrote that urban construction is trampling the countryside rather than cooperating with it, and calls the planning profligate and unwise.
Local government: Says the time has come to connect action from the ground with decision-making nationally.
Women in leadership: Argues women should not have to choose between motherhood and career, and that gender discrimination in politics persists.
LGBTQ+ inclusion: After her council canceled a conference by an organization whose messaging was found harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, a Petah Tikva court ruled in February 2026 that the cancellation was not discrimination.
Where they stand
Holds the party line on every issue.
Judea & Samariaparty lineNo Palestinian state. Eisenkot has never supported establishing one, and opposition is the only line he has taken on the question.
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & Securityparty lineA new security doctrine, and an alternative government in Gaza on Israel's terms. Eisenkot pressed for the Rafah operation as leverage for a hostage deal.
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi Enlistmentparty lineEveryone is summoned, the army first and civilian service otherwise, with prosecution for evaders. Up to 3 per cent of each intake may defer a year for Torah study.
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
Judiciaryparty lineA judiciary that is strong, independent and accountable, a Knesset that is sovereign, and a Basic Law: Legislation strengthening the Knesset's own authority.
Court can strike lawsKnesset can override
Economyparty lineWork should always pay more than a benefit, and benefits should follow need rather than sector. Break the concentration groups and open parallel imports.
Social spendingFree market
Educationparty lineCore studies are the condition for full public funding, with a national council setting the core, while budget and authority devolve to town halls and to heads.
State runs the schoolsParents and communities
Religion & Stateparty lineCivil union institutionalised in Israel, Shabbat in the public space left to each locality, and women seated on religious councils and on the assemblies that elect rabbis.
Civil / pluralistReligious authority
Nation & Citizenshipparty lineA solid Jewish majority for generations, set beside equal rights, equal duties and equal opportunity for every Israeli, with minority rights named explicitly.
Equal citizenshipJewish national state
