Businessman and CEO of grocery chain AM:PM, Shirel Hogeg, announced he had joined Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party on Monday morning.
“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,” Eisenkot said.
“Shirel has extensive experience in managing and streamlining systems and companies. We will restore professionalism and excellence by streamlining government operations and assessing every government decision through the lens of its benefit to the citizen.”
Hogeg, a resident of Ofakim, where he was born and raised, has held a series of senior positions in the business sector and became an outspoken voice for reform in the aftermath of October 7.
“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 stated.
“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.”
Hogeg also described a program he would be leading as part of Yashar, designed to “bring Israeli excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship into government ministries, improve the quality of decision-making processes, and help build a more efficient, advanced, and service-oriented country for every citizen, everywhere.”
Ramat Gan Deputy Mayor Israel Zari joins Yashar
Last week, Ramat Gan Deputy Mayor and head of the Diamond Exchange District Administration, Israel Zari, also joined the Yashar party.
Previous recruits include former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, economist Shaul Meridor, former minister Matan Kahana, former minister and MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen, former Aharai CEO Inbar Harush Giti, social activist Alex Rif, attorney Inbar Yehezkeli, educator Dvora Sharifian Bachar, former Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. (res.) Kamil Abu Rokon, Drom HaSharon Regional Council head Oshrat Gani Gonen, and social activist Yaffa Tabaja.