Wounded IDF Veteran Joins Likud, Vows to Represent Injured Soldiers

Elisha Madan, a 47-year-old father of six, is running for the Knesset on the Likud party's list, a path he never envisioned for himself. His life took a dramatic turn on November 10, 2023, when he was severely wounded during intense fighting in Gaza. While searching for a tunnel entrance in a house, a powerful explosive detonated, killing four soldiers, including his close friend Yossi Hershkovitz, and critically injuring six others, including Madan.

Madan lost both legs in the blast and suffered severe internal injuries, nearly succumbing to his wounds. He credits his fellow soldiers with his rescue and subsequent survival. Since the incident, he has been undergoing extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, including multiple surgeries and stays in hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Israel and the United States. Despite ongoing pain and medical challenges, including difficulties with prosthetic adaptation, Madan remains determined to walk again and is focused on his recovery.

Raised in a home with a strong tradition of public service and activism, Madan's parents, Ruthy and Rabbi Yaakov Madan, instilled in him a sense of responsibility and the importance of taking action. He recalls participating in protests against the Oslo Accords and helping establish early outposts in the West Bank during his childhood. This background, he states, has shaped his worldview and his current decision to enter politics.

Madan's political aspirations are deeply connected to his personal experience as a severely injured veteran. He aims to represent those who serve, including regular soldiers, reservists, and their families, as well as the wounded and their families. He believes Israel has a profound obligation to care for those who have sacrificed for the nation and wants to advocate for legislation that would improve accessibility, such as mandating accessible fueling stations.

He expressed his support for the controversial draft law aimed at increasing the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into the IDF, acknowledging the deep divisions it causes but emphasizing the need for shared national burden, especially in wartime. Madan also shared his views on the current conflict, stating that Israel's achievements in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria are "unimaginable" and stressing the importance of continuing the fight to achieve victory and deter future threats. He believes Israel must maintain its strength and vigilance, even in times of peace, referencing the Amalekite threat as a perpetual danger.

Madan's decision to join the Likud was influenced by a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he described as an empathetic and strategic leader. Madan, who has voted Likud in past elections, feels at home within the party's ideology and believes it is the right platform to pursue his goals of strengthening Israel and supporting its soldiers.