Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Chair Ayal Ostrinsky Defies Likud Demand to Remove Support for Gadi Eizenkot

Ayal Ostrinsky, chairman of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), publicly supported Gadi Eizenkot for prime minister, prompting a warning letter from the Likud party. Ostrinsky responded on Wednesday by rejecting the demand to remove his social media post, calling the claim that he is barred from political expression "ridiculous." He emphasized that the post was made on his personal Facebook page, not on KKL’s official channels funded by public money.

Ostrinsky highlighted that unlike his predecessors, he does not use KKL resources for personal promotion and maintains a personal page since 2008. He expressed pride in KKL’s nonpartisan cooperation with municipalities and organizations across the political spectrum, including Likud members, focusing on national responsibility rather than political considerations.

He accused Likud of hypocrisy, noting that many public officials from the party maintain publicly funded social media pages. Ostrinsky clarified that his role as KKL chairman is not an administrative civil servant position but a political one, elected by the World Zionist Congress, which includes Likud representatives.

Ostrinsky declared he will not comply with Likud’s demand and will continue advocating his political views openly. He accused Likud of fearing him and Eizenkot because they represent a new, effective leadership offering an alternative to the current government’s neglect of Israel’s periphery. Ostrinsky vowed to persist in promoting his values and called for a government change on October 27, promising necessary reform and healing for Israel.