Otzma Yehudit MK Zvi Fogel Announces Knesset Departure

Member of Knesset Zvi Fogel of the Otzma Yehudit party announced Sunday that he will not run for the 26th Knesset. Fogel, who chairs the Knesset's National Security Committee, stated in a post on X that while he was honored to serve the Israeli people and his party, he could not continue his political activity as planned.

"Unfortunately, the way to continue my activity in the Knesset or in the future government is not possible as I planned. Therefore, I will not run for the 26th Knesset on behalf of the Otzma Yehudit party," Fogel wrote. He concluded by wishing his party colleagues success and affirming his commitment to public service, stating, "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's announcement follows another significant change in Otzma Yehudit's roster for the upcoming elections. MK Tali Gottlieb recently left the Likud party to run with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit. Ben-Gvir announced that Gottlieb would be placed second on the list, a spot initially intended for MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf, who ceded it to her. Ben-Gvir also indicated potential for further additions to the list, responding to questions about MK May Golan by saying, "She is a good friend of mine - wait patiently."

Gottlieb's move was facilitated by an agreement with the Likud, allowing her to run with Otzma Yehudit without being declared a faction defector. She will remain subject to Likud's factional discipline until the formation of the next Knesset. These shifts occur shortly before the deadline for submitting party lists, as Ben-Gvir finalizes his election slate. A Walla poll conducted before Gottlieb's move suggested her potential switch could increase Otzma Yehudit's mandate by one seat, primarily at the expense of other right-wing parties.