Former justice minister Ayelet Shaked announced Sunday evening that she will not run in the upcoming Knesset elections, according to ynet. She stated that 'there is no way to pass the electoral threshold,' ending speculation about her candidacy.
Former justice minister Ayelet Shaked announced Sunday evening that she will not run in the upcoming Knesset elections, telling ynet that "there is no way to pass the electoral threshold." The statement ends weeks of speculation about her political future as the campaign season intensifies.
Earlier Sunday, The Zioneer reported at 19:58 Jerusalem time that Shaked had decided not to contest the elections and was expected to register as a member of the Likud party in order to begin accumulating seniority, though she understood that Prime Minister Netanyahu may not expedite it for her. Shaked's own confirmation Sunday evening now matches that report, while adding the electoral threshold rationale.
The announcement joins a series of political departures as parties realign ahead of the next elections. As The Zioneer has reported, Gilad Erdan's newly formed Unity Party withdrew on Friday, September 4, 2026, citing the public's focus on the prime ministerial race and insufficient support to guarantee passing the threshold. In a separate development, a poll published on Monday, July 27 showed Naftali Bennett's party crossing the electoral threshold.
What remains open: Shaked did not address the question of whether she intends to join the Likud, as The Zioneer had earlier reported was expected. Nor has Likud leadership commented on any potential arrangement regarding her seniority or placement.
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