Minister Orit Strook Reveals How a Knock on Her Door Changed Her Life and Led to Public Service

Orit Strook, Israel's Minister of Settlement and National Missions, shared in a special interview with C14 how an unexpected call to action propelled her into public life. Strook explained that she never planned to enter politics but was drawn in by dramatic events in the West Bank, particularly in Hebron. Before officially engaging in public work, she was often invited to speak at meetings with senior military and government officials to ensure a female and value-driven voice was present.

The turning point came after the 1994 Cave of the Patriarchs massacre by Baruch Goldstein, when fears of evacuating the Jewish community in Hebron intensified. Strook recounted how people came to her home with what she described as a "Code 8" call to save the settlement, which compelled her to fully commit to public activism. She also opened up about the challenges she faced as a religious woman entering a predominantly male and tough political arena, describing feelings of alienation and loneliness without a supportive network.

The full interview is available on the official C14 YouTube channel in the program "On the Way to the Ballot with Dana and Ron." Strook’s story highlights the intersection of personal faith, national struggle, and the unexpected paths that lead to leadership roles in Israeli politics.