After 7 years in Likud: Former European champion joins competing party
The prominent former athlete who was previously registered with Likud and decided to end his activity there, now reveals his next political move and officially joins Gadi Eisenkot's faction.
Former athlete and former European pole vault champion Alex Averbukh is making a turn in the political arena and officially joining the "Yashar" party led by Gadi Eisenkot. The move comes after Averbukh decided last August to end his seven-year chapter of activity in the Likud faction, which he joined in 2019.
Averbukh, who previously served as chairman of the Israel Athletics Association, shared his decision and clarified that he intends to continue promoting the areas close to his heart from within the political system. In remarks he published, he noted that he will focus on strengthening the status of coaches, improving the education system, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and promoting sports in Israel.
In his words, the former pole vaulter emphasized his commitment to act for the sake of the country and its citizens. His joining the new political framework marks his active return to the public sphere, with the aspiration to influence public policy in the fields of education, health, and sports.
Averbukh's transition marks a trend in which public figures from the world of sports and education are looking for a new political home to promote focused professional agendas. It now remains to be seen whether the connection to Eisenkot's faction will provide him with the necessary backing to translate his rich athletic experience into legislative and public moves on the ground.
