Netanyahu's First Protected Candidate Declines Knesset Seat for AI Minister Role

Oren Dobronsky, an Israeli tech entrepreneur and businessman, has announced he will not take a reserved spot in the Likud party's Knesset list. Dobronsky, who was reportedly offered a position within the top ten candidates, stated he prefers to serve as a professional minister focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than entering parliamentary politics.

Dobronsky explained in a social media post that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered him a protected seat, but he chose to decline the political offer. He expressed a desire to leverage his technological expertise to help Israel become an AI powerhouse, working within the government but not as a Member of Knesset. He and Netanyahu agreed he would contribute to this goal without occupying a spot on the party's electoral list.

Dobronsky is recognized as a pioneer in Israel's high-tech industry, having founded the country's first internet bulletin board in 1996. He is described as a successful businessman and a right-wing figure chosen to lead the AI revolution across various sectors, including the economy, education, and healthcare. He viewed Netanyahu's initial offer as a "call to duty" to advance the country technologically.

With Dobronsky's decision, Netanyahu now has six protected candidate slots available for the Likud list. Dobronsky's appointment as a professional minister for AI is expected to bring his entrepreneurial and professional knowledge to the government's decision-making table.