Former Likud education minister announces political comeback

Former minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Monday evening that he would be returning to politics as a part of the Likud party, after a two-and-a-half year hiatus. "I took a break," he said. "I had the best time, the most pleasant, peaceful time. I have come to tell you that the break is over."

In September 2014, Sa'ar said that he decided to leave his career in politics in order to spend more time with his wife, journalist Geula Even, and their son, David. He said on Monday that "David is already running now, and I can hardly catch up with him, and in the meantime, [our daughter] Shira was born, as well. I am returning to public activity and political activity in the Likud.

"My goal is to strengthen the Likud ahead of future challenges -- and if that disappoints some people, I'm sorry. My goal is to ensure that the Likud movement leads the country in the future, as well. I want to report for duty and to contribute, and I have something to contribute to the state and to the movement. I intend to leave here, Acre, on a journey across Israel, from north to south, and to present my creed on everything related to our anticipated challenges."

Sa'ar's name recently made headlines after his wife was appointed lead news anchor at the controversial fledgling Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. At the time, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) criticized the move, seeing it as an attempt to torpedo negotiations over the new organization with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prompt early elections

When Sa'ar said on Monday that his return to politics may disappoint some people, he seemed to be referencing indications he had made in the past that he would position himself as an opponent to Netanyahu. At the time, he had said, "The nation is having a hard time with the cost of living, the cost of housing. We must not harm education; we must not harm welfare; we must not harm health care; we must not harm disadvantaged communities; we must not oppress the poor. The masses put their trust in us again and again. Please do not disappoint them."

During the last election campaign, Sa'ar volunteered for the Likud campaign. He had said that upon his return to politics, he would remain with the Likud rather than start his own party or join another existing party.

On Monday, he said, "We must increase the nation’s endurance and strengthen the Likud as the central national political movement."

He went on: "The Likud has always championed the preservation of the land of Israel and building throughout its length and breadth as a defensive wall. We have been through difficult times, eight years of an unsympathetic administration in the United States. ... I would like to praise Netanyahu for standing up to the pressure and safeguarding our interests."