Likud Party Adds Four 'Armored' Candidates to Knesset List

The Likud party announced Tuesday the addition of four "armored" candidates to its Knesset list for the upcoming elections. These individuals, who are granted protected spots on the list, include reserve combat soldier Elisha Medan, who lost both legs in Gaza and is a founder of the Avigail settlement in the Hebron region; Talik Guili, mother of fallen Border Police officer Ran Guili, who was killed on October 7th and was the last hostage returned from Gaza; attorney David Peter, a former researcher at the Kohelet Forum who represented the government in the High Court; and retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi, founder of the "Bishvistonim" (Security Advocates) movement.

The party highlighted Medan's resilience and determination during his recovery, stating his personal story embodies the spirit of Israeli soldiers and the nation's ability to overcome hardship. Guili was recognized for her strength and unwavering faith while honoring her son's memory and promoting his values. Peter, a second-generation Holocaust survivor, brings extensive legal and public experience, focusing on fundamental questions of governance, law, freedom, and democracy in Israel. Avivi, a former senior IDF officer, co-founded the "Bishvistonim" movement, which supports Prime Minister Netanyahu's security doctrine emphasizing decisiveness, initiative, and security independence.

Previously, businessman and tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky was slated for a protected spot, intended to serve as Minister for AI Affairs. However, Dobronsky announced he would forgo a Knesset seat, preferring to serve solely as a professional minister to maximize his contribution to making Israel an AI superpower. This announcement came after the Likud tribunal ordered Netanyahu to finalize his protected list within two hours or face a secret ballot by the party secretariat. Netanyahu stated he would submit the list on Tuesday morning.

Reports indicated Netanyahu was considering last-minute additions, including individuals who did not secure favorable positions in the party's primaries, due to refusals from others offered protected spots. Names like attorney Yiska Bina and media personality Yaakov Bardugo were mentioned. Earlier, it was reported that Netanyahu had offered a protected spot to retired Major General "Chico" Tamir, amidst concerns about the electoral performance of former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichiter and the departure of former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a perceived shortage of security-focused candidates.