Full Breakdown
Zvika Fogel Withdraws from Otzma Yehudit’s October Election List
9/6/2026, 10:59:58 PM
Core Event
On Sunday, MK Zvika Fogel announced that he will not run for the 26th Knesset on behalf of the Otzma Yehudit party. The decision follows the party’s release of its candidate list, in which Fogel, previously placed fourth, was moved outside the top six slots.
Background & Context
Fogel has served as chair of the Knesset’s National Security Committee, a role highlighted during a March 15, 2026 committee meeting held amid the war with Iran and Hezbollah. His long-standing affiliation with Otzma Yehudit positioned him as a senior figure within the party’s parliamentary bloc, which previously secured six mandates.
Official Statements & Responses
Ben-Gvir also announced that MK Limor Son Har-Melech and MK Yitzhak Kreuzer will occupy the fifth and sixth spots on the party’s list, the same positions they held in the prior election cycle.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Regrettably, the path to continuing my activities in the Knesset or in the future government is not possible as I had planned,” — Zvika Fogel
What’s Next
The party’s finalized list will be presented to voters in the upcoming October elections. With Fogel’s withdrawal, the top-six lineup now consists of the party leader, other senior members, and the newly confirmed fifth- and sixth-place candidates, Limor Son Har-Melech and Yitzhak Kreuzer.
