Former Meretz MK Michal Rozin will run in Democrats primaries

Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Former MK Michal Rozin attends a Democrats faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 1, 2026 .(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Former MK Michal Rozin attends a Democrats faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 1, 2026 .(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Former Meretz MK Michal Rozin announces that she will compete for a spot on the Democrats’ Knesset slate in the party’s internal primaries, set to be held this summer.

“There will not be a second chance for the rehabilitation of the State of Israel,” Rozin says, adding that she hopes to bring the parliamentary experience needed to help maintain a future anti-Netanyahu coalition and avoid the mistakes that led to the collapse of the Bennett-Lapid government in 2022.

Rozin, 56, served in the Knesset from 2013 to 2022. Before entering politics, she headed the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel.

She helped broker the 2024 merger between Labor and Meretz that formed The Democrats.

Last month, party members ratified an agreement guaranteeing Meretz candidates spots on the joint list in the 6th, 8th and 14th positions. With the Democrats consistently polling around eight seats — double Labor’s current Knesset representation; Meretz failed to pass the electoral threshold and is not represented in Knesset — the top two of those reserved slots are widely seen as realistic.

Democrats chair Yair Golan endorses her candidacy, calling Rozin “one of the most skilled lawmakers” he worked with during their years together in the Knesset under Meretz and saying her return to politics will strengthen both the party and Israel’s democratic camp.

Rozin’s announcement follows news earlier this month that former deputy head of the National Security Council Eran Etzion and anti-government protest leader and lawyer Nava Rozolyo will also compete in the party’s primaries.

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