From Heritage Ministry to Politics: Candidate Credits Visit to Fallen Soldier’s Grave with Career Change

Shira Shapira, who has joined the parliamentary list of Chili Trooper and Yoez Hendel, has outlined her vision for Israel as a nation that is both Jewish and democratic. The longtime civil servant, who spent two decades working in the Ministry of Heritage, described the moment she decided to leave her post and enter politics as a turning point in her life. She has cited the values of fallen soldiers from Operation Iron Swords as inspiration for her political ambitions.

Shapira revealed that a visit to Mount Herzl, where she sat with a soldier named Aner, became the catalyst for her decision to pursue political office. During this encounter, she reflected on the stakes facing Israeli democracy and the future direction of the state. She quoted remarks attributed to fallen soldiers from the recent conflict, including one soldier’s words: “It depends on us whether the vision will be realised here.”

The move represents a significant career shift for Shapira, who is leaving behind two decades of government service to enter the competitive world of electoral politics. Her entry into the Trooper-Hendel slate suggests an attempt by that faction to broaden its appeal by recruiting experienced administrators with deep connections to Israeli institutions. The Heritage Ministry role she held would have involved stewardship of sites and narratives central to Israeli national identity.

Shapira’s framing of her political motivation around democratic values and the legacy of military sacrifice reflects broader debates within Israeli society about the country’s character and future. Her emphasis on balancing Jewish identity with democratic principles suggests she may appeal to centrist voters concerned about maintaining both religious and secular dimensions of Israeli governance.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.