Retired General Amir Avivi Abandons Party Plans to Aid Right-Wing Bloc

Retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi, founder of the 'Bithonim' (Security Experts) organization, has decided to withdraw from plans to establish a new political party. Avivi explained in an interview with Channel 7 that his initial motivation for considering a new party was to offer an alternative for right-wing voters and potentially attract additional mandates from the center-right.

Avivi stated that he had assembled a team, developed an organizational infrastructure, and secured donors for the new party. However, over the past week and a half, he observed the proliferation of parties and recognized the risk this posed to the right-wing bloc's ability to govern. He concluded that prioritizing the country's interests, which he defined as a right-wing victory, necessitated his withdrawal.

He described the decision as difficult, especially given the substantial effort invested in building the political foundation. Avivi expressed concern that some emerging parties, like those led by Gilad Erdan and Ofer Winter, do not clearly align with the right-wing bloc's core agenda or its goal of securing a 61-seat majority. He believes these parties complicate potential unity efforts.

Avivi emphasized that the decision was made collectively with the team he had assembled, who shared the view that the conditions were not ripe for a new party. He noted that the broader right-wing public also favors consolidating existing parties rather than forming new ones. Avivi confirmed that the possibility of joining the Likud party remains open, but this decision rests with Prime Minister Netanyahu.