"Gilead, I'm coming": Olympic medalist joins Ardan and Edelstein's "Unity" party

Olympic medalist Oren Smadja joined today the "Unity" party led by Gilead Ardan, which he founded with Yuli Edelstein. The joining came after a persuasion campaign by Ardan, during which Smadja was shown polls and promises to add more figures. Smadja, former coach of the men's national judo team, lost his son Omer in Gaza about two years ago. Yesterday, Ardan revealed the party's name and slogan "Real right. Real draft".

Olympic medalist Oren Smadja joined today (Wednesday) the "Unity" party led by Gilead Ardan, which he founded with former Likud MK Yuli Edelstein. The joining came after a weeks-long persuasion campaign by Ardan, during which Smadja - who feared the party might not pass the electoral threshold - was shown polls along with a promise to add more significant figures. Smadja, former head coach of Israel's men's national judo team, lost his 25-year-old son Omer in the Gaza Strip about two years ago on his 54th birthday, who served as a reserve sergeant in Battalion 9203 of the Alexandroni Brigade. Just yesterday, in a speech in Beit Shemesh, Ardan revealed his party's name and slogan, "Real right. Real draft," and announced the official joining of MK Aliza Bloch to the party. The former Israeli ambassador to the UN explained that the party is named so "not because we agree on everything - but because there is no other choice." He clarified that "unity is a draft for everyone, it is shared responsibility, it is our way and our commitment - it is our name." "We will fight for unity without compromise," he concluded. As mentioned, former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch announced last night her joining to Ardan's party. Bloch, who considered many offers from "third bloc" figures, accepted the offer of Ardan and his partner Yuli Edelstein to join the party's list - and she is the first to do so. Last week, Ardan announced the establishment of the party and the placement of Edelstein in the second spot on the list. "Unfortunately, I cannot call Likud home. Likud representatives no longer represent the party's voters whom I love so much," he said. "I chose the State of Israel." "Right-wing voters who don't want to see draft evasion and right-wing voters in the opposition who don't want to see the left - we are your home," he clarified.