Likud Party Reserves Knesset Seat for Wounded IDF Reservist Elisha Medan

The Likud party announced Tuesday, hours before the deadline for submitting Knesset lists, that wounded IDF reservist Elisha Medan will be placed on the party's list for the upcoming elections. Medan, a co-founder of the community of Avigail, was critically injured during an operation in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, where he lost both legs and four comrades were killed. The party stated that Medan's personal story embodies the spirit of Israeli soldiers and the resilience of Israeli society.

Likud further elaborated that Medan's extensive rehabilitation process has become a symbol of strength and determination, emphasizing his choice to look forward and continue contributing to Israelis. This decision follows businessman Oren Dobronsky's withdrawal from a reserved spot on the Likud list late Monday. Dobronsky had been offered a top-ten spot and a ministerial role focused on AI but opted instead to serve only as a professional minister, not a Knesset member.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now has only a few hours left to fill five additional reserved spots on the Likud list. The party's internal court is set to vote on the identities of these reserved candidates. A demand was made for Netanyahu to reveal the names by 9 PM on Tuesday, or the vote might proceed secretly. In response, Netanyahu committed to announcing the names on Tuesday morning.