Democrats lawmaker Naama Lazimi was included Wednesday in TIME magazine’s 2026 TIME100 Next list, which recognizes 100 rising figures the magazine says are shaping the future and the next generation of leadership.
Karl Vick, a TIME editor who wrote Lazimi’s profile, described her as a “superstar” of an embattled Israeli left and highlighted her focus on poverty, public housing and what he described as the deepening divisions in Israeli society and an “authoritarian shift” under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Vick pointed in particular to a speech Lazimi gave in July on poverty and public housing that moved the Knesset’s right-wing presiding officer to tears. He also noted Lazimi’s support for a negotiated peace with the Palestinians and wrote that she hopes to serve in a future government that distributes Israel’s “resources and burdens evenly.”
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Responding to the recognition, Lazimi said in a post on X that she was “deeply moved” and thanked TIME, describing the honor as recognition not only of her own work but of “an entire camp in Israel” fighting for democracy, solidarity and social justice.
“This is not just a personal achievement, but a badge of honor for an entire camp in Israel – a proud and determined camp fighting for the democratic character of our country and for solidarity and social justice,” she wrote. Lazimi said the recognition gave her renewed momentum ahead of what she called “the most important elections the State of Israel has ever known.”
Democrats chairman Yair Golan also congratulated Lazimi on X, citing TIME’s description of her as a “charismatic leader” and “superstar of the Israeli left.”
“This year in TIME100 Next. Next year in the government,” Golan wrote.
Lazimi has become one of the most prominent figures in Israel’s Zionist left. She first drew national attention in 2022, when she unexpectedly finished first in the Labor Party primary, and her standing has grown since Labor merged with Meretz to form the Democrats.
In the party’s primary in July, she received more than 90 percent of the vote and secured the top spot on its slate behind chairman Yair Golan.
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Yair Golan, center, along with Labor MKs Gilad Kariv, right, and Naama Lazimi, left, after the announcement of the party’s primary results, July. Credit: Moti Milrod
Yair Golan, center, along with Labor MKs Gilad Kariv, right, and Naama Lazimi, left, after the announcement of the party’s primary results, July. Credit: Moti Milrod
The primary drew more than 97,000 voters, with Lazimi finishing ahead of fellow incumbent lawmakers Gilad Kariv and Efrat Rayten. The Democrats have sought to consolidate Israel’s Zionist left while also incorporating prominent figures from the anti-government protest movement.
Lazimi’s political profile has been built around social-democratic issues including public housing, food security and economic inequality, alongside a highly visible role in protests against Netanyahu’s government and the judicial overhaul. She has also become known for combative speeches in the Knesset and for confronting coalition members directly.
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Lazimi being removed from the Knesset after calling for a state commission of inquiry into the Gaza war. “I say to all the parties in the October 7 coalition: Sit this one out. Go to the opposition.” Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
Lazimi being removed from the Knesset after calling for a state commission of inquiry into the Gaza war. “I say to all the parties in the October 7 coalition: Sit this one out. Go to the opposition.” Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
Lazimi has increasingly become a target of attacks from coalition lawmakers. Likud MK Nissim Vaturi recently called her “worse than Hamas” and an “enemy from within,” while United Torah Judaism MK Yitzhak Pindrus said protesters blocking roads should be shot in the legs, adding: “But start with Naama Lazimi.” Lazimi filed complaints over both remarks and accused members of the government of inciting violence against her.
TIME’s annual TIME100 Next list aims to spotlight emerging figures across politics, culture, business and other fields whose influence the magazine expects to grow.