Tech entrepreneur Mati Gill joins Bennett’s B’Yachad party

By Sam Sokol 12 August 2026, 3:38 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Mati Gill (L) with B'Yachad party leader Naftali Bennett in a photo released August 12, 2026 (Courtesy)

Tech entrepreneur Mati Gill joins former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad party slate ahead of the upcoming October 27 election.

Gill served as chief of staff to Avi Dichter when Dichter was public security minister in 2006-2009, during which time Gill was shot by a Palestinian gunman during a briefing on the Gaza border. As an IDF officer, he helped establish a joint operations room for the IDF and US Central Command (CENTCOM). He went on to serve in senior roles at pharmaceutical giant Teva. He later established AION Labs, a venture studio incubating AI-focused pharmaceutical startups.

“Over the past 20 years, Mati has led major initiatives for Israeli technology, and God willing, he will lead major moves on these issues for the country after the elections. We must ensure that the best minds remain in the country and that Israel continues to be a technological beacon for the entire world,” says Bennett in a statement.

High-earning Israelis working in tech and healthcare are emigrating in sharply rising numbers, almost doubling over five years, a new study by the Israel Tax Authority recently found.

“After years of work in both the public and private sectors, I realized it was time to contribute what I have learned in service of the state,” says Gill. “Naftali Bennett is the right leader at the right time, he arrives prepared, experienced, with an excellent team and the courage to lead the deep changes the country needs. I am joining him to take part in this mission and lead the reform plan for high-tech, technology, science, and the healthcare system.”