In fact, the only person in the past 20 years who came from outside the political system with a new party and made it into the Knesset was Yair Lapid, and that was 13 years ago. Before him, there was the Pensioners’ Party in 2006, and before that, Lieberman in the last century.

Israelis generally prefer people with experience, and in their eyes, experience is gained either in the security establishment or in the political system. Paradoxically, both institutions failed catastrophically on October 7, yet October 7 only intensified the desire for experienced leaders who can handle the country’s complex situation.