Yashar party unveils plan for young adults with rent caps and military pay raises in campaign push

The Yashar party, led by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, unveiled a comprehensive youth platform on Monday targeting financial challenges for young adults ahead of the October 27 election. Proposals include a 15% salary increase for compulsory-service soldiers, a 50% raise for combat soldiers in their third year, rent assistance mechanisms, modular higher education programs, paid internships, and a personal financial guidance account. The party, leading in recent polls, aims to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Yashar party, led by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot, launched its youth platform on Monday, 28 September 2026, as part of its campaign for the upcoming 27 October general election. The plan targets the financial challenges facing young adults in Israel, including cost of living, housing, military service, higher education, and employment. Key proposals include a 15% salary increase for all compulsory-service soldiers and a 50% increase for combat soldiers in their third year of service. The party also outlined rent assistance and protection mechanisms for renters, modular academic programs, paid internships, micro-credentials, and the establishment of a ministerial committee for youth affairs. A personal 'jump-start account' would provide young adults with guidance on payslips, pensions, workplace rights, loans, and taxation. Eisenkot stated that young people have demonstrated responsibility and commitment through repeated national service, and that the state must now support them. The party is leading in recent polls and is part of the opposition bloc seeking to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yashar youth chairwoman Eliana Zaks noted that the party is the first to publish a dedicated plan for young adults.