Wounded IDF Reservist Eliyahu Medan Joins Likud Party List

The Likud party has announced that Eliyahu Medan, a decorated IDF reservist who lost both legs and four comrades in a Gaza operation, will be placed at number 11 on the party's Knesset list. The announcement came just hours before the deadline for submitting party lists for the upcoming election, concluding a period of intense internal speculation regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reserved spots.

Medan, a founder of the Avigail settlement in the Hebron region, became a public figure following his severe injuries sustained during a mission in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza. The explosion of an improvised explosive device killed four soldiers and wounded six others, including Medan, who was critically injured. His subsequent recovery and public advocacy for national unity and resilience led to his selection as one of the torchbearers at Israel's 77th Independence Day ceremony.

Netanyahu reportedly sought public figures to fill these reserved slots, facing internal party pressures and last-minute withdrawals from other potential candidates. The process was marked by internal disputes, including a legal challenge regarding the allocation of reserved spots, with the party's tribunal ultimately approving several senior members' placements. The final decision to place Medan at number 11 was made amidst these complex negotiations and last-minute developments.