Oren Smadja Announces Entry into Politics with "Ha-Achdut" Party

Former judoka Oren Smadja, an Olympic bronze medalist and former head coach of the Israeli men's judo team, announced on Wednesday that he is joining the "Ha-Achdut" ("Unity") party, led by Gilad Erdan.

In his announcement, Smadja described the major shift in his life:

"I am embarking on a new path. All my life I wore the flag of Israel on my suit. I have experienced great peaks in my life and also the greatest pain a father can bear, when my son Omer fell in battle. From all of this, the understanding strengthened in me that there is one thing more important than any political dispute: unity. That we remain one people. I decided that the time has come to take action for the sake of unity."

Regarding his decision, he noted:

"I received many offers from the political system, but I chose to join Gilad Erdan, because I believe in him and in the path he leads: a true and responsible right-wing, which believes that everyone must serve the country and that this value is the basis for unity among us. Gilad brings with him many years of experience as a Knesset member, as an outstanding minister in Israeli governments, and as ambassador to the USA and the UN, who represented Israel faithfully and fought for our good name in the world."

Chairman of the "Ha-Achdut" party, Gilad Erdan, stated: "Dear Oren, welcome. Oren represents the beautiful Israel, the salt of the earth, who represented the State of Israel with honor. After being the coach of the Israeli national team, he now joins the excellent team of the "Ha-Achdut" party, which is the only party that is both truly right-wing and will bring about real conscription and the establishment of a broad Zionist government."