Israel Tech Leaders, Irked by Netanyahu, Eye Moves Into Politics

  • They’re hoping to push out Netanyahu and religious partners
  • Eyal Waldman among businessmen weighing running for office

Benjamin Netanyahu

Photographer: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg
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Frustrated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some Israeli business leaders are considering entering politics. They’re holding discreet, if preliminary, discussions about options, including forming a new party, running candidates on existing lists or volunteering for key jobs in major ministries.

Separately, a forum of Israel’s top 200 business leaders, comprised of owners, chairs and chief executive officers of major companies, is calling for early elections “to save Israel from a deep economic crisis.” Half the companies listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s TA-35 index are represented, including the CEOs of the four largest banks.