Israel election 2026: Democrats party unveils Knesset slate after 86% primary turnout

The Democrats party concluded its primary election on Monday evening, with 97,000 members (86.2% turnout) casting ballots to determine its slate for Israel’s 26th Knesset. The projected realistic slate is headed by party chairman Yair Golan, followed by Naama Lazimi, Gilad Kariv, and Efrat Rayten. Notable outcomes included Yair “Yaya” Fink’s surprise fifth-place finish and Omri Ronen, from the Brothers in Arms protest movement, securing seventh. A senior party official commented, “Most Democrats voters have sound political judgment, which is why they chose an excellent slate and left the extremists out.”

“What an incredible list. This is what an awakening looks like. This is what a camp that has risen to its feet and is ready to take the wheel looks like,” Golan said.

Golan formally opened the party’s election campaign, calling the Democrats “the greatest and most tangible threat” to the current government. He pledged that the party would join a future government formed by Netanyahu’s opponents, establish a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 massacre, and repeal judicial overhaul legislation. Other promises included reforms to the Israel Police, action against organized crime, greater Jewish-Arab partnership, public transportation on Shabbat, civil marriage, and changes to the education system. The primary was held amid tensions between candidates associated with the former Labor Party and those identified with Meretz.