Israel First: Sharren Haskel on Launching Her New Party; Thu. August 20, 2026

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Sharen Haskel has launched a brand-new political party — Israel First — ahead of Israel’s October 27 election. In this episode of the Israel Daily News Podcast, Shanna Fuld sits down with Haskel for an in-depth conversation about why she resigned from the government, the military draft exemption debate, Israel’s political divide, and her vision for a new political movement. Haskel explains why she believes the government has failed Israelis who have spent years serving in the IDF and reserves, particularly those fighting in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. She argues that Israel’s political system has become trapped in a “pro-Bibi” versus “anti-Bibi” divide and says Israel First wants to focus instead on values including security, free markets, education, civil liberties and Zionist unity. The conversation also covers her plans to reduce taxes and bureaucracy, reform Israel’s education system, limit union power, expand medicinal cannabis reform, address PTSD among soldiers and veterans, and create greater freedom of choice for Israeli families. Haskel also discusses what makes Israel First different from other emerging parties, whether the party can cross the electoral threshold, and why she believes voters should choose parties based on their values rather than political calculations.