Former prime minister and B’Yachad chairman Naftali Bennett welcomed longtime political adviser and IDF reservist Jeremy Saltan to the party’s candidate list for the 26th Knesset on Thursday, making him the 10th reservist to join the slate.
Saltan is also the third immigrant from the United States on the slate, alongside MK Michal Slawny Cababia and Mati Gill.
Saltan, who made aliyah from the United States 31 years ago at age 11 and comes from the Religious Zionist community, has worked closely with Bennett for nearly 15 years and has served in several key legislative, political, and party positions, including serving as Knesset faction secretary for Bennett’s party during his tenure as prime minister.
He also served as an Israeli board member at the World Jewish Congress from 2021 to 2023 and has coordinated English-language media, diplomatic, and field operations for Bennett and his political parties.
Saltan has also served as a company commander in the IDF reserves and, according to the party, has completed 636 days of reserve duty since October 7, 2023.
Saltan expressed that serving Israel has been his 'life’s mission'
“My life’s mission has been service to the State of Israel. In the army, at the Knesset, and beyond. I’ve known Naftali Bennett for 14 years, and I know he is the right person at the right time with the right experience to lead Israel. I call on the religious Zionist public to join us - as one who has served over 630 days since October 7, I know the price those who serve and our families are paying," Saltan stated.
"Only Bennett has the thorough plans needed on enlistment to expand the circle of those who serve and significantly reduce the burden on reservists’ families. I look forward to bringing the experience I’ve gained in the army, the Knesset, and in public life to the effort to leave our kids with a safer, more united, and better Jewish and democratic state.”
Among the issues Saltan intends to promote in the Knesset are equality in military enlistment, increased support for reservists and their families, expanding aliyah and improving the absorption of new immigrants, and strengthening Israel’s public diplomacy efforts.