Netanyahu's pick Oren Dobronsky drops Likud Knesset bid rather than give up US citizenship

Tech entrepreneur Oren Dobronsky has withdrawn from Likud's Knesset slate, opting not to relinquish his U.S. citizenship, which is required for Israeli lawmakers. Dobronsky had been offered a top-10 spot by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but will instead pursue a potential role as a professional minister for artificial intelligence if Netanyahu forms the next government. He stated, "Nevertheless, I preferred to serve only as a professional minister, where I can contribute the most from my experience, and not to be on the list itself as a member of Knesset, and that is what we agreed." This decision comes as Netanyahu faces a deadline to finalize his remaining reserved candidates for the Likud list, amidst internal party disputes regarding the approval process.