Likud’s New Candidate Oren Dobronski Criticizes Trump, Then Quickly Apologizes

Oren Dobronski, a businessman and co-founder of Hotbar, was recently announced as the first candidate on the Likud party list for the 26th Knesset elections. Shortly after the announcement, past social media posts by Dobronski sparked controversy, particularly his harsh criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump and contentious remarks regarding Israeli hostages during the Gaza conflict.

About two months ago, amid negotiations between Washington and Tehran that excluded Israel, Dobronski sharply condemned Trump on X (formerly Twitter). He questioned the morality of excluding Israel, a close ally, from the talks and accused Trump and his team of being "imbeciles" responsible for a "colossal failure" in dealing with Iran. Following backlash from the right-wing, Dobronski issued a public apology, calling Trump "the greatest friend Israel ever had in the White House" and expressing regret for his earlier statements.

In addition to his Trump criticism, Dobronski posted a firm stance on the Gaza war, suggesting that hostages were likely held in Hamas tunnels as a strategic asset. He advocated for a decisive military victory over Hamas, even if it risked the lives of some hostages, stating, "This war must be won at all costs, and Hamas destroyed down to its last commander and soldier."

Further reports revealed that Dobronski is the son of Alis Dobronski, chairman of the advisory committee and president of the Israel Beiteinu party, closely associated with party leader Avigdor Lieberman. Sources indicate that Lieberman’s team was unaware of Dobronski’s placement on the Likud list until it became public.

Dobronski’s entry into Likud and his controversial statements have stirred political debate ahead of the upcoming elections, highlighting tensions within the Israeli right-wing and between political factions.