Iris Bernstein

Iris Bernstein is a resident of Kfar Maimon in Israel's Gaza border region, a mother, grandmother and wife. She is a public activist for decisive victory in the war, restoring security to the region, and strengthening Israeli sovereignty and governance.

Bernstein, 55, has lived the security reality of the region for years. Since October 7, she has turned pain, anger and concern for the area's future into determined public action. She speaks from public platforms and participates in public discourse, calling for a fundamental change in Israel's security doctrine.

Bernstein seeks to represent the voice of residents of the Gaza border region and many other Israelis who, she says, have lost faith in the doctrine that led to October 7. She opposes a return to a policy of containment, deterrence and repeated rounds of fighting and demands a shift from "managing the conflict" to decision: conquering the territory, expelling the enemy and removing the threat from Gaza in a way that will allow the residents of southern Israel to live in genuine long-term security.

For her, the war is also personal and familial. Iris is married to Haim, the father of Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Tzur, known as "Barnash," of blessed memory, commander of the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion, who fell in battle on October 7. Haim himself has served in the reserves throughout the war, accumulating more than 800 days of service. From within this family, she sees closely the price paid by soldiers and their families, and the price of a prolonged war that does not bring decision.

Alongside her security campaign, Bernstein opposes what she sees as the judicial system's takeover of powers that belong to elected branches of government. She sharply criticizes Supreme Court intervention in security and national matters and believes that restoring governance and the ability of elected leaders to make decisions is essential to changing the country's direction.

"I live in the Gaza border region. For me, security is not a slogan or a studio debate; it is life itself. After October 7, we must not return to the same doctrine that brought us disaster. I want a country that knows who its enemy is, believes in the justice of its cause, and is not afraid to defeat that enemy.

"I am joining Zehut because I believe the time has come to restore identity, sovereignty and courage to the State of Israel: to defeat the enemy in Gaza, return governing power to the people and their elected representatives, and ensure that our children and grandchildren will have a Jewish, safe and free state here."