Eli Ohana on potential Likud list spot: 'It burns within me'

'It interests me, it burns within me,' said Keshet 12 commentator and presenter Eli Ohana on the program 'Ofira Ohana Sari' this Friday, addressing the possibility of being reserved a spot on the Likud list by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ofira Assayag had previously teased their first television meeting since reports emerged regarding Ohana's potential political future: 'Eli Ohana in a first interview. After Netanyahu's offer, will he run with the Likud?'

Ohana, 62, was mentioned this week by journalist Amit Segal as a candidate who might receive a reserved spot on the party list for the upcoming elections. Netanyahu is expected to be granted eight such spots in parallel to the primaries. 'Netanyahu did not approach me; the one who did was Amit Segal,' Ohana clarified during the panel discussion.

'Officially, I say that it was Amit Segal who approached me. I had been approached by people connected to the Likud, but I did not take it seriously, as I have received such calls for years. When Amit Segal raised the issue, I viewed it differently,' he added. When asked if he would accept the offer, Ohana replied: 'It is not a question of yes or no. If an official approach is made, I will voice my opinion.'

When confronted with the suggestion that he could simply declare he is not entering politics, Ohana responded: 'I am old enough, and I learned a lot from what happened with Bennett. I am not rushing to say yes. Back then, I left the sports channel and was on my way to politics, but it didn't work out. One needs to listen, to hear, and then decide. No one has approached me yet.' He concluded by emphasizing: 'It interests me, it burns within me.'

Almost ran with Bennett

As recalled, Ohana, who works as a commentator for the sports channel and a presenter on 103FM, was close to entering politics in 2015. The then-chairman of The Jewish Home, Naftali Bennett, announced his addition to the party, but the move caused a public outcry, and Ohana eventually gave up the spot. Reflecting on that episode, he said: 'Politics burns within me, but not at any price.'

The struggle in the Likud

Netanyahu has recently pushed for the cancellation of primaries and for the candidate list to be determined by an organizing committee. However, MK David Bitan, who holds significant influence within the party's institutions, has opposed this initiative.

The Prime Minister and Minister Haim Katz agreed on a framework under which Netanyahu would receive eight reserved spots, but Bitan continues to oppose this plan. The Likud convention is expected to address the matter on Monday, the same day Netanyahu is scheduled to fly to Washington.

Furthermore, Netanyahu added a clause this week stating that in the event of a significant security escalation, the primaries scheduled for August 17 would be cancelled, and the entire list would be determined by the organizing committee.