Will the 'Shark' swim to the Knesset? Oren Dobronsky may pay millions of dollars on the way to the parliament

High-tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky may be required to pay an "exit tax" of millions of dollars to US tax authorities if he is elected to the Knesset and seeks to be sworn in as a member. The reason is that, in order to take the oath of office, Dobronsky must renounce his American citizenship. US tax law stipulates that an American citizen seeking to renounce their citizenship may be required to pay an exit tax, calculated as if they had sold their assets at the time of renunciation, including unrealized gains.

Dobronsky, who has lived and founded companies in the US since 2000, accumulating most of his wealth there, may face a tax liability estimated at millions of dollars. Political observers are questioning whether he will indeed "go all the way" and pay the high tax to serve as a member of Knesset, and potentially lead the field of artificial intelligence. The issue may become more pressing if, after the elections, Benjamin Netanyahu fails to form a government, leaving Dobronsky to serve from the opposition. As of this evening, no response could be obtained from him or the Likud party.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the first reserved spot on the Likud list the day before yesterday: Dobronsky, a high-tech figure known from the show "The Sharks" (Shark Tank), will be placed 11th on the list, ahead of many senior party members. The Likud statement noted:

"Oren is a successful businessman, one of the founders of high-tech in Israel and a right-wing person. Dobronsky is joining the Likud team and after the elections will lead the issue of artificial intelligence in the economy, education, medicine, finance and all sectors of the state."

During the war, Dobronsky expressed sharp views, stating that it is not enough to collapse Hamas, but that it is necessary to "flatten Gaza." He argued that Israel should continue the war to destroy Hamas even at the cost of not returning some of the hostages. He also supported the "transfer" plan for Gaza residents and the IDF's maneuver into Rafah.

Last June, Dobronsky attacked US President Donald Trump on X, calling him a "morally corrupt piece of shit" for not sharing details regarding the Iran agreement. Following the controversy after his reservation in the Likud, Dobronsky published a public apology, stating he regretted his words and that he values President Trump as the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.