From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 11, 2026
Liberman names 2 female business executives to Yisrael Beytenu slate
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela 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.
The hawkish opposition Yisrael Beytenu party announces that business executives Dr. Yael Benvenisti and Shelly Shamir Keinan are joining the party ahead of this fall’s elections and will endorse party leader Avigdor Liberman for prime minister.
The party says in a statement that Benvenisti, vice president of InsurTech Israel, is a public policy expert with a focus on social policy and aging and will lead the party’s policy on senior citizens.
Shamir Keinan previously served as CEO of Coca-Cola Israel’s beverage division and of BBR Saatchi & Saatchi, part of the Publicis Group, and has also worked to promote “gender equality and women’s representation” in leadership positions, according to Yisrael Beytenu.
Benvenisti says she sees the party as “a political home that connects economics, society, security, and foreign relations into one clear and Zionist policy,” and describes Liberman as “a highly experienced leader” who “knows how to make responsible decisions.”
Shamir Kinan says she believes in “Liberman’s way,” describing the hawkish party chief as a “leader with a backbone,” and says she is joining the party to contribute her management experience “on behalf of the state.”
The additions come as Liberman and Gadi Eisenkot, head of the new Yashar party, are reportedly discussing a merger.
The Times of Israel Community.