Parties are not required to hold primaries in Israel, and only a few do so. The final list will be announced on Monday evening after the vote during the party’s election campaign launch in Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n
Each registered member of the party is permitted to vote for between six and eight candidates out of the 51 contenders competing for spots on the Democrats’ slate.<\/p>\n
The Democrats<\/a> said the list would incorporate gender parity through a zipper system alternating between women and men, while also guaranteeing representation for Meretz representatives, the rural sector, and minority communities. The party described the slate as reflecting a broad cross-section of Israeli society.<\/p>\n The candidates include 17 leaders involved in protest movements and public activism, 12 former IDF officers, 11 candidates with backgrounds in the civil service, 19 women, nine candidates under the age of 45, eight former Knesset members, four candidates from the Arab community, three from the Druze community, and two members of the LGBTQ+<\/a> community.<\/p>\n Among some of the figures running for candidacy are social and political activist Yaya Fink, former Meretz MK Michal Rozin, Rabbis for Human Rights executive director Avi Dabush, social activist and reservist Omri Ronen, alongside several figures from the judicial-reform and hostage-deal protest movements.<\/p>\n Other candidates running in the primaries are the party\u2019s three current members of Knesset, Naama Lazimi, Efrat Rayten, and Gilad Kariv.<\/p>\n Golan said at the opening of the party\u2019s primaries that they were \u201ca celebration of Israel’s democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the time for the public to go out and vote. Only a strong Democrats team in the Knesset and in the next government can save the country and restore to Israel the security, democracy, and hope that it so desperately needs,\u201d the Democrats party leader added.<\/p>\n Democrats primary conducted digitally for first time<\/p>\n The party’s primaries will be conducted virtually for the first time, with voting available via mobile phones and computers, through \u201ca secure digital system\u201d that will be open throughout the day.<\/p>\n![\"Naama](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/730646.jpeg\"\/)
Naama Lazimi, a Member of Knesset and candidate in The Democrats party primaries, is seen at her campaign headquarters on the day of the party\u2019s primary election in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 20, 2026. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI\/FLASH90)Democrats party features IDF officers, Arabs, LGBTQ+ members<\/p>\n