And as the Likud presents itself as the national movement capable of representing Jews from every corner of the world.<\/p>\n
MK TSEGA MELAKU: The throwing away of the blood donations was seen as murder. (credit: Photog)<\/p>\n
This is not a demand for charity. It is a demand for political consistency.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu and the Likud deserve credit for previously opening the door to Ethiopian-Israeli representation, an act of inclusive leadership, political generosity, and recognition of our community\u2019s rightful place in Israel\u2019s national life.<\/p>\n
In 2022, Netanyahu placed former MK Tsega Melaku<\/a>, a Jewish Ethiopian woman, in the 37th position on the Likud list. That decision mattered.\u00a0<\/p>\n It demonstrated that Netanyahu understood, at least in principle, that the Ethiopian Jewish community should be seen not merely as a symbol of Zionist rescue but as a source of Israeli leadership.<\/p>\n But that single appointment cannot become a permanent excuse. Representation is not accomplished by occasionally selecting a person of Ethiopian origin.<\/p>\n The real question is whether that individual is rooted in the community, trusted by it, committed to the party, and capable of carrying both relationships into the Knesset.<\/p>\n Melaku withdrew before the 2026 Likud primary after apparently concluding that she was unlikely to secure a realistic position through the internal election.<\/p>\n But her withdrawal also created an unavoidable question: Would Likud allow another Ethiopian-Israeli leader to compete through the party\u2019s democratic process or would the community simply disappear from the list?<\/p>\n Worku answered that question by doing what democracy demands: he entered a fiercely competitive primary and ran alongside government ministers, sitting Knesset members, and nationally recognized political figures.<\/p>\n He is not a stranger recruited at the last moment to improve a campaign photograph. He is a longtime Likud member and Ethiopian-Israeli community leader from Haifa.<\/p>\n He previously worked as a political aide to former Likud lawmaker and current Ambassador to Ethiopia Dr. Avraham Neguise. Worku has remained active in public advocacy, immigrant integration, community unity, and the campaign to bring the remaining Ethiopian Jews home.<\/p>\n Most importantly, Worku submitted himself to Likud voters. He did not demand a position simply because he is Ethiopian. He competed fiercely in the primary.<\/p>\n He traveled across the country, organized supporters, spoke directly with party members, and asked them to judge him by his record and earnestly consider giving him their votes. Likud members responded with confidence, supporting Worku strongly enough for him to win the immigrants\u2019 contest.<\/p>\n Although the immigrant MK slate is expected to be around 41 on the list, far below the party\u2019s currently projected strength, his performance established something that cannot honestly be dismissed: he possesses support inside the Likud as well as the Ethiopian-Israeli community.<\/p>\n That should count for more than political connections arranged after the voting ends.<\/p>\n