Olympic Medalist Oren Samdaja Joins Gilad Erdan's Political Party

Oren Samdaja, one of Israel's most prominent athletes and an Olympic bronze medalist from the 1992 Barcelona Games, has announced his entry into politics by joining Gilad Erdan's party. Samdaja, who coached Israel's men's judo team from 2010 until his resignation in 2025, stated that he feels it is time to serve the country in a new arena beyond sports. He emphasized the importance of national unity above political divisions, especially after enduring personal tragedy with the loss of his son Omer in combat.

Samdaja explained that despite receiving multiple political offers, he chose to join Erdan's party because he believes in Erdan's leadership and vision of responsible right-wing politics that prioritizes national service and unity. He praised Erdan's extensive experience as a Knesset member, minister, and ambassador to the US and UN, highlighting his dedication to representing Israel internationally.

Drawing parallels between sports and politics, Samdaja said that just as a winning team values the national jersey over individual names, Israel must prioritize unity to succeed. He called for a new path that balances security with national cohesion and invited the public to join the party led by Erdan. Samdaja's political move comes shortly after coaching Israeli athletes to Olympic medals, including successes at the Tokyo and Paris Games.