Otzma Yehudit MK Tzvika Fogel Announces Political Retirement

Member of Knesset Tzvika Fogel of the Otzma Yehudit party announced Sunday that he will not run in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections.

In a statement, Fogel expressed gratitude for his service as a Knesset member and chairman of the National Security Committee, stating, "I had the honor of representing the people of Israel in the Knesset and as chairman of the National Security Committee, and I had the privilege of being part of the Otzma Yehudit party." He emphasized his commitment to continuing to work for the country, "I will continue to do and act for the people and the state in any way possible. I am ending a chapter, but the mission continues."

Fogel cited that the conditions for his continued political activity in the Knesset or a future government were not as he had planned, leading to his decision not to seek reelection with Otzma Yehudit. He wished his party colleagues success.

Fogel's departure follows recent changes to the party's electoral list initiated by party leader and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Earlier on Sunday, Ben-Gvir informed MK Limor Son Har-Melech that she would be placed fifth on the list, and MK Yitzhak Kroizer would be sixth. Previously, Fogel held the fifth position in the last election, and these new placements would have likely pushed him to at least seventh place. While Fogel did not explicitly state this as the reason for his withdrawal, the shift in the party's roster is seen as a significant factor.

The current projected list for Otzma Yehudit places Itamar Ben-Gvir first, Tali Gottlieb second, Yitzhak Wasserlauf third, Amichai Eliyahu fourth, Limor Son Har-Melech fifth, and Yitzhak Kroizer sixth. Gottlieb's move to second place came after her lengthy transition from the Likud party, following discussions between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir.