Ramat Gan's first openly gay official, Israel Zari, joins Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party

Israel Zari, the first openly gay elected official in Ramat Gan and Deputy Mayor, has joined Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party, the party announced Tuesday. Eisenkot welcomed Zari, highlighting his "young, courageous, and principled leadership" and his municipal experience, particularly his work strengthening civic engagement among teenagers and young adults.

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Israel brings with him young, courageous, and principled leadership, alongside municipal experience and extensive work to strengthen civic engagement among teenagers and young adults.

Eisenkot stated that Zari's addition to the party signifies a commitment to building "honest, responsible, and unifying national leadership for all Israeli citizens." Zari, 36, brings a background in communications and has experience advising the transportation minister, serving as spokesperson for the Ra'anana Municipality and the Israeli Scouts movement, and for The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel (The Aguda).

Zari was first elected to the Ramat Gan City Council in 2018 at age 28, founding an independent party for young residents. He became the city's first openly LGBTQ elected official and spearheaded reforms that led Ramat Gan to the top of The Aguda's national municipal LGBTQ equality index. His decision to enter national politics is driven by his extensive work with young Israelis and his conviction that increased civic involvement is crucial.

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Together with him, we will continue building honest, responsible, and unifying national leadership for all Israeli citizens.

Zari's recruitment follows previous additions to Eisenkot's party, including former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, economist Shaul Meridor, and former ministers Matan Kahana and Orit Farkash-Hacohen, among others. Zari's experience spans government ministries, local authorities, and civil society organizations.

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Throughout my life I have worked with young people, and I have alway