Eyal Eshel Announces Plans to Run for Knesset After October 7 Tragedy

Eyal Eshel, father of Roni Eshel, a lookout who was killed on October 7 at the Nahal Oz outpost, revealed in a Thursday interview that he intends to run in the upcoming Knesset elections. Eshel, who co-founded the "October Council" aiming to establish a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, said he has been approached by multiple political parties but is waiting for a specific offer from one individual. "Everyone has reached out to me," he said, "but when a concrete proposal arrives, I will discuss it with my close circle. I believe I am worthy and have a significant electorate today."

Eshel explained his motivation for entering politics is to bring change and improvement to Israel, emphasizing the need to prevent a recurrence of the October 7 events. "Israel is currently in a poor state with few merits," he said. "These elections will be critical and different; on election day, the people must make a real choice."

Having failed to secure a state commission from outside the political system, Eshel now intends to push for its establishment from within the Knesset. He co-founded the October Council with Rafi Ben Shitrit to advocate for this inquiry into the tragic events that led to his daughter's death.