Ahoy, Knesset: Israel’s Pirate Party sets sail with Dan Ariely on its slate

Israel's Pirate Party submitted its candidate list for the 26th Knesset on Monday, notably including Israeli-American behavioral economist and author Prof. Dan Ariely in the third slot. Ariely, who appeared at the Knesset in a pirate hat, stated his reason for joining was that “Politics is fun.” The party, founded in 2012, advocates for a more direct role for citizens in democracy, utilizing technology to influence government decisions beyond Election Day. Despite never crossing the electoral threshold in previous elections, the inclusion of Ariely on their slate garnered attention.