Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael Elections 2026After saying he wanted to avoid the 'noise' and hatred of politics, Olympic medalist Oren Smadja enters the race with a new right-wing party that polls suggest is unlikely to cross the electoral thresholdShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeNoa Shpigel06:04 PM • August 13 2026 IDTOren Smadja, a former Olympic bronze medalist and current coach of the Israeli men's judo team, announced Wednesday that he is joining Gilad Erdan's new Unity Party.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:ZionismLikudIsraeli politicsIsrael Elections 2026CommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesGazaWest BankLikudRambamColombiaSephora Election PollsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastIsraeli Judo Medalist and Coach Oren Smadja Joins Gilad Erdan's New Party'We're Not Nazis. This Isn't an Extermination Machine as During the Holocaust'Right-wing Israeli Think Tank Hires Lobbyists to Push U.S. Withdrawal From UNNetanyahu's New Election Ploy Smells of Desperation and Elon MuskOnce a Haven, Christian Palestinians Say They 'Have No Future' in This VillageRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMI50 Years Ago, a Young Israeli Was Crowned the Most Beautiful Woman in the WorldIsrael's Leading Philosopher on Manipulation, Morality and the Future of ZionismWho Is Rebeca Grynspan, the Jewish Frontrunner to Become the Next UN Chief?Phones of Missing Israeli Mother, Daughter Last Traced Near Vienna Train StationIsrael Elections: How to Actually Read the PollsNew Middle East Pact Seen in Israel as Sign of Waning U.S. Influence