COMMUNITY NEWS
A Conversation with MK Ohad Tal In Dialogue with Motti from South Florida Community Voice
Motti (SFCV): MK Tal, thank you for sitting down with us. I want to start at the beginning. You grew up in Eilat — what shaped you before politics ever entered the picture? Ohad Tal: Thank you, Motti. It’s great to be here. Yes, I grew up in Eilat — I like to call it the Miami of Israel. Beautiful beaches, tourism, a very open atmosphere. I grew up in a traditional family. Not fully religious, but with strong Jewish values. As I got older, I became more observant. There’s one moment I always remember. As a child, I read a book about the destruction of the Second Temple. When I reached the part describing the Romans burning the Temple, I couldn’t continue. I threw the book and started crying. I remember thinking, “If we were exiled for 2,000 years and now we’re back in our land — just as the prophets promised — then this must mean something.” That moment pushed me toward Jewish learning and eventually yeshiva. From Tank Commander to Jewish Educator Motti: Before public life, you served in the army and then spent many years in education. That’s quite a journey. Tal: Yes. I served as a tank commander and fought in Gaza, including in Jabalia during Operation Defensive Shield. Like many Israelis, my early adulthood was
hausting and polarizing. This is my first term. I was elected in October 2022. And what a time to enter — judicial reform protests, and then October 7th and two and a half years of war. It’s been intense. Sovereignty and Security Motti: One of the areas you’ve focused on is strengthening Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria. For many of our readers in Florida, that’s a topic they hear about but may not fully understand. What’s the bigger picture?
shaped by security realities. After the army, I worked in high-tech for two years. But I realized quickly — it wasn’t fulfilling. I wanted purpose. So I went into Jewish education and stayed there for about 20 years. My last position was as head of World Bnei Akiva, working in 34 countries, connecting young Jews to their identity and to Israel. That was my life — until Bezalel Smotrich “ruined it” by asking me to enter politics. (laughs) Entering the Knesset Motti: Be honest — did you ever imagine yourself in the Knesset? Tal: Never. I followed politics closely. I knew all the names. I watched the debates. But I didn’t want to be in it. Politics can be ex-
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Tal: The bigger picture is security and long-term vision. For decades, Israeli policy was shaped by the Oslo framework. Infrastructure investment was limited. Illegal construction in Area C was widespread. In the last few years, we’ve made a major shift — building infrastructure, authorizing communities, investing in roads. After October 7th, it became very clear: security is not theoretical. Jewish presence in key areas matters. It’s not just ideology — it’s strategic depth. Cost of Living and Economic Reform Motti: Let’s talk economics. Many Americans making aliyah feel Israel is still very “socialist.” You describe yourself as a free-market believer. Where does Israel really stand? Tal: Israel was founded by so-