Retired General Uzi Dayan Announces Run in Likud Primaries Bringing Security and Social Experience

Retired Major General Uzi Dayan, a former Deputy Chief of Staff and head of Israel's National Security Council, has officially declared his candidacy in the upcoming Likud party primaries. Dayan, a well-known security figure and regular Channel 14 panelist, is considered the most senior military personality running on the Likud national list for the next Knesset elections.

In addition to his extensive military background, including commanding the Central Command, Dayan has been active in social and educational fields for years. He is the founder and president of the Sderot Conference for Society, which focuses on strengthening national resilience and reducing social gaps, and chairs the "Hugim HaSayarot" organization. His work emphasizes leadership values, love of country, and educating future generations through both strategic initiatives and grassroots educational activities.

Dayan has prior political experience, having merged his movement "Tafnit" with Likud in 2008 and serving as a Knesset member in 2019 and the 23rd Knesset. Although he lost his seat in subsequent elections, he remained active in public discourse on leadership, security, and society. Now, he aims to return to politics to leverage his military, strategic, and social expertise to bolster Israel's security and social-educational future.

Dayan stated his campaign will focus on two main pillars: security and social-educational development, asserting that Israel's strength depends on both robust defense and quality value-based education for coming generations. His entry into the race adds a prominent security voice to the Likud primaries ahead of the 2026 elections.