Olympic Medalist Oren Smadja Joins Gilad Erdan's Unity Party

Oren Smadja, an Olympic medalist and bereaved father who lost his son in the war, announced on August 12, 2026, that he is joining the Unity Party led by Gilad Erdan. Smadja described the day as "emotional and historic" for him and his family, emphasizing his lifelong pride in representing Israel. He reflected on his personal highs and the profound pain of losing his son Omer in combat.

Smadja stressed that unity is more important than political disputes, stating, "There is one thing more important than any political disagreement - unity." He explained that after receiving multiple political offers, he chose to join Erdan because he believes in his leadership and vision of a responsible right-wing that values national service as the foundation of internal unity.

About a year earlier, Smadja had expressed openness to entering politics if a serious offer arose, saying he wanted to contribute positively to Israel. His decision to join Erdan's party marks the start of a new chapter in his public life, aiming to promote unity and national service.