Israeli Businessman Oren Dobronski Joins Likud, Sparks Controversy Over Harsh Trump Comments

Oren Dobronski, a prominent Israeli businessman known from the TV show "The Sharks," has officially joined the Likud party as its first reserved candidate, securing the 11th spot on the party's Knesset list. This appointment is part of eight reserved slots allocated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu within the top 30 positions on the list, specifically at numbers 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 29.

The Likud party praised Dobronski as a successful entrepreneur, a pioneer in Israeli high-tech, and a right-wing figure. They announced that after the elections, he will lead initiatives related to artificial intelligence across various sectors including the economy, education, and healthcare.

Dobronski has previously attracted attention for his outspoken views during the recent conflict. He posted on Facebook that hostages held by Hamas are likely kept in tunnels as a strategic asset, implying that military operations must proceed with full force even at the risk of losing some hostages. He emphasized the necessity of defeating Hamas completely, stating, "This war must be won at any cost, and Hamas must be destroyed down to its last commander and soldier."

Controversy arose shortly after his Likud announcement when old social media posts resurfaced in which Dobronski harshly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump. Less than two months ago, he called Trump a "morally corrupt piece of ***" and blamed him and his team for a "colossal failure" against Iran, which Dobronski claimed was worse than President Biden's failure in Afghanistan.