‘Young, courageous leader’: Ramat Gan's first openly gay elected official joins Eisenkot's Yashar

Ramat Gan Deputy Mayor Israel Zari, the city's first openly LGBTQ+ elected official, has joined Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. Eisenkot praised Zari's "young, courageous, and principled leadership" and his work in municipal government, particularly in strengthening local government, advancing LGBTQ+ rights, and expanding opportunities for young Israelis. Zari, 36, founded an independent party for young residents in 2018, leading reforms that elevated Ramat Gan in the national municipal LGBTQ equality index. His decision to enter national politics is driven by a belief in greater civic involvement and a desire to counter "hatred and division in Israeli society" with honest, unifying leadership.