Former Minister Ayelet Shaked Opts Out of Elections, Eyes Likud Move

Former Minister Ayelet Shaked has decided not to run in the upcoming elections, according to a Channel 13 report. Shaked is expected to join the Likud party. She had previously rejected an offer from Benny Gantz to join his party, the National Unity, as his second-in-command. Shaked had also urged Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein not to run independently, but both announced their withdrawal from the political race over the weekend.

Erdan announced on Friday the discontinuation of the "Achdut" (Unity) party he had formed with Edelstein. This decision followed failed negotiations to merge with Gantz's party. Erdan stated that while he believed Israel needed a broad Zionist government capable of passing a conscription law and resolving disputes, especially after the October 7th attacks, public sentiment prioritized a clear decision on the prime minister's identity over a broad unity government. He acknowledged that his party's support was insufficient to guarantee crossing the electoral threshold and that coalition talks with other parties in the unity bloc had not materialized.

Erdan emphasized that leadership requires recognizing reality and acting responsibly, ensuring that supporters' votes are not wasted. He had launched the "Achdut" party about a month prior, alongside Edelstein, stating it was a difficult but important day as he departed the political home where he had been for over 30 years, feeling it no longer represented its constituents. The party had attracted former Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch and Olympic medalist Oren Smadja.

Channel 13 also published private remarks from Erdan indicating he would not align with figures from the "change government" and was aiming to lead the right-wing camp.