Businessman Shirel Hogeg joins Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party

Shirel Hogeg, the businessman and CEO of the AM:PM grocery chain, has officially joined Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party, signaling a new political direction for the prominent figure. Eisenkot welcomed Hogeg, describing him as a symbol of citizens who took responsibility and decided to act for Israel's repair following the events of October 7.

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Shirel is a symbol of the citizens who rose up after October 7, took responsibility, and decided to act in order to lead Israel toward repair. He is a sharp and clear voice in the call for a state commission of inquiry.

Hogeg, a native of Ofakim, brings extensive experience in managing and streamlining businesses to the Yashar party. Eisenkot stated that Hogeg's inclusion will help restore professionalism and excellence to government operations, emphasizing a focus on streamlining public services and evaluating every decision based on its benefit to citizens.

In the aftermath of October 7, Hogeg emerged as an outspoken advocate for reform. He highlighted the failures of state systems but also the immense strength within Israeli society. "After years of neglect and prioritizing political needs over national ones, we need to build an excellent, professional public service free of extraneous considerations," Hogeg stated, stressing that citizens are the reason for government's existence.

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October 7 exposed to all of us the depth of the failure and the price we pay when state systems do not function, but it also proved the tremendous strength that exists in Israeli society and in the people who get up, take responsibility, and act for the good of the country.

Hogeg is set to lead a new initiative within the Yashar party focused on integrating Israeli excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship into government ministries. The goal is to improve decision-making processes and foster a more efficient, advanced, and service-oriented country for all citizens. This move follows other notable recruitments to the Yashar party, including former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and former minister Matan Kahana.

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After years of neglect and prioritizing political needs over national ones, we need to build an excellent, professional public service free of extraneous considerations, one that understands that the citizen is not an inconvenience but the reason for its existence.