Fourth Quarter founder Yoav Heller says Israel needs political renewal, not more boycotts

Fourth Quarter founder Dr. Yoav Heller said his emerging political party aims to break Israel’s political polarization by bringing new leaders and ideas into the Knesset, while leaving open the possibility that the movement could ultimately decide not to run.

Speaking in an interview with The Jerusalem Post's editor-in-chief Zvika Klein, Heller said the Fourth Quarter began four years ago as a grassroots movement focused on reducing polarization and developing policy proposals through dialogue among Israelis from across the political spectrum.

The decision to enter politics was backed by 69% of the movement’s activists, he said. However, he acknowledged that limited name recognition remains a challenge and said the party could seek a partnership with an established politician, form an alliance with other new political forces, or run independently with several better-known candidates.

He added that the movement would not stand in the way of a broader political merger if its participation threatened its viability.

“I’m not going to be the obstacle,” Heller said.

Position on political boycotts

Heller also rejected political boycotts as a basis for forming Israel’s next government. While saying he believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should leave office, Heller said that if voters choose Netanyahu, the political system should respect the result. He was sharply critical of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whom he described as a major problem for Israeli politics, while also criticizing the The Democrats party, but opposing their exclusion from a future coalition.

Heller said his preferred government would take a hawkish approach to defense while advancing several major domestic reforms. Those include an agreed judicial reform leading toward a constitution within five years, tackling organized crime in Arab society, creating a new framework of civic responsibility and state benefits, and seeking major improvements in Israeli education.

If given a ministerial role, Heller said his first choice would be the Justice Ministry, with judicial reform his first priority. He also stressed that any government must govern for Israelis who did not vote for it, arguing that the executive branch represents the entire country rather than only its political base.