Amir Avivi Forgoes Likud Knesset Seat for 'External Minister' Role

Retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi, founder of the "Security Professionals" movement, will not be placed on the Likud party's list for the upcoming elections, despite earlier announcements of his securing a spot. Avivi has opted to serve as an "external minister" instead. This decision effectively cedes his secured position to Knesset Member Avihai Boaron, who had expressed anger towards Prime Minister Netanyahu's circle over a potentially marginal placement on the list that could have excluded him from the Knesset.

Avivi, a Jerusalem native, had a distinguished military career in the Israel Defense Forces, holding senior positions such as Deputy Inspector General of the Defense Establishment, Chief of Staff to the Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander of the Gaza Division, Commander of the Sagi Brigade, Commander of the 605th Battalion, and Commander of the Combat Engineering Corps School. He returned to Israel at age 18 to enlist as a lone soldier in the Combat Engineering Corps, rising through the ranks to Brigadier General.

Avivi and his "Security Professionals" movement support Prime Minister Netanyahu's security doctrine, which emphasizes decisiveness, initiative, and Israel's security independence.