Elkana Federman, a reservist and security coordinator at the Nova festival, announced yesterday (Thursday) he’s entering politics and launching a new party called “Tekuma” (Revival). Federman, son of prominent right-wing activist Noam Federman, shared the unexpected decision with his followers on social media—a step he said he never planned to take, but felt compelled to after the traumatic events he experienced since October 7.
2+In his post, Federman recalled the horrors he witnessed at the Nova festival grounds near Re’im, where he remained behind to fight terrorists and rescue wounded people under heavy fire. “I saw hell. I saw people fighting for their lives. I saw friends who never came back. And from that day, something inside me changed,” he wrote.
Federman said he could no longer remain silent while the country failed to learn from its mistakes. He said the new party aims to restore responsibility, security and trust in Israel’s institutions while standing up for young soldiers who sometimes find themselves battling not only Israel’s enemies but its own systems. “I could have gone home, continued my life and let others do the talking. But I couldn’t stay silent. I kept fighting. I kept serving. I kept asking questions,” he wrote.
2+Federman listed the questions he believes remain unanswered: “How did we get to October 7? Who needs to provide answers? Why does someone who fights for the country sometimes have to fight its systems too? And how do we restore security, responsibility and trust to Israel?” The reservist continued: “I realized that if I want answers, I have to be willing to take responsibility. That’s why I decided to take a step I never planned to take.”
Federman said his party would not be “another one born in the backrooms of political operatives” or built on promises that appear before elections and disappear afterward. “I’m setting out independently. I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I know one thing: A country incapable of learning from its failures will struggle to protect its future.” He concluded: “For me, Tekuma is not just the name of a party. It is a decision. To rise from the devastation. To restore responsibility. To restore security. To restore trust. I am Elkana Federman. And this is my first step. Tekuma.”
2+The announcement drew a wave of supportive responses online, with many commenters calling Federman a “hero of Israel” and wishing him success in his new endeavor. Asked about potentially joining existing right-wing parties, including Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut party, Federman responded that, like other parties, they are not interested in young soldiers. He made clear that he is setting out independently but said he would be willing to join forces with any right-wing party prepared to work with him.
https://www.c14.co.il/article/1337295