Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, the former operations officer of the Eida Chareidis and founder and Chief of Operations of ZAKA, is setting his sights on Knesset. He plans to run for a slot on the Likud lineup and is likely to begin “getting into it” next month.

Meshi-Zahav wants to take his newfound life values to the next level. In his role with the Eida, he led many protests in the 1970s and 1980s against secular Israeli institutions. But now he heads ZAKA, which helps all Israelis and his sons serve in the IDF.

According to a report Friday in Yediot Achronot, Mesh-Zahav has given the matter thought and he feels Likud is the place for him and he plans to begin working next month to realize this role. He will be taking part in Likudiada, a major Likud party/event scheduled to take place next month in Eilat.

Meshi-Zahav says wants to bring the secular and religious together, and hopes to do so in the Likud party. He opposes religious coercion and favors separating religion from state, positions he says he will not find in the Chareidi parties.

“In my previous gilgul I was an Eida Chareidis man; extreme, but I have changed sides and today I am with the consensus in the State of Israel. I feel this is the time to donate and Likud is still the leading party in Israel,” he explained.

He ruled out entry to the Knesset via a Chareidi party, adding, “It appears I was born to the wrong Chassidus, but even if I had opportunity, I would not enter via a chareidi party”.

He reveals in previous elections he voted for a different party each time, having voted for Bayit Yehudi and Likud.

“I have received offers from other parties, but if entering politics then it will be via Likud for I wish to break stigmas regarding chareidim and non-religious.”

Meshi-Zahav made headlines last month when he was attacked by a lion in Africa.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)