From the field to the Knesset: The athletes who made the transition to politics

Just before the polls open, this article examines the path of Israeli athletes who moved into politics, from successes like Yoel Razvozov and Moshe Matalon to failures like Tal Brody and Eli Ohana, and points to the difficulty of translating athletic achievements into a realistic position on party lists.

The article reviews the journey of prominent Israeli athletes who tried to move from the field to the Knesset, just before the elections. It begins with Yoel Razvozov, a former Israeli judo champion who served as Minister of Tourism, and Moshe 'Mutz' Matalon, a Paralympic athlete elected to the Knesset on behalf of Yisrael Beiteinu who led legislation for disabled IDF veterans. It then mentions Simon Davidson and Yaron Levi, who entered the Knesset through Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu respectively. On the other hand, the article presents examples of athletes who served as 'decorations' on lists, such as Moshe Sinai and Tal Brody, and the turbulent case of Eli Ohana, who left The Jewish Home following a protest. Ahead of the 2026 elections, the article notes Alex Averbukh and Lidia Hatuel-Zuckerman, who are placed in unrealistic slots, and emphasizes the gap between public fame and political influence.