Wounded IDF Veteran Elisha Medan Secured 11th Spot on Likud Party List

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to place Elisha Medan, a decorated IDF reservist severely wounded in Gaza, in the 11th position on the Likud party's list for the upcoming 26th Knesset. Medan sustained critical injuries during combat in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, losing both his legs. Four of his comrades were killed in the same operation during the "Swords of Iron" war.

Medan, also a founder of the Avigail settlement in the Hebron Hills, has undergone an extensive rehabilitation process that has become a symbol of resilience and determination. His personal journey from the battlefield to recovery is seen by the Likud party as embodying the spirit of Israeli soldiers and the nation's ability to overcome severe challenges.

The Likud stated that Medan represents the values the party aims to promote, and his path serves as an inspiration to the public. He has previously been honored for his bravery and service, including lighting a "torch of healing and rehabilitation" at Israel's Independence Day ceremony.

Medan's father is Rabbi Yaakov Medan, a prominent figure in the Hesder Yeshiva in Gush Etzion and a known opponent of legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service.

The decision to reserve a spot for Medan comes amid internal tensions within the Likud party regarding the composition of its reserved list positions. A deadline set by the Likud's tribunal for Netanyahu to release the list was missed, with the Prime Minister opting to announce it the following morning.

Notably, Oren Dobronsky, a prominent businessman previously slated for the 11th spot, withdrew his candidacy overnight. Dobronsky cited the requirement to relinquish his American citizenship as the reason for his withdrawal, leading Netanyahu to select Medan instead.