Likud Party Expels MK Yuli Edelstein After New Party Launch

The Likud party officially notified Knesset Member Yuli Edelstein on Sunday of his expulsion from the party. The notification cited Edelstein's public announcement of his intention to pursue a new political path as the reason for the termination of his membership.

In the letter, Likud stated, "It is appropriate that you resign from your position as a Member of Knesset, thereby allowing the continuation of the mandate given to the Likud list in the Knesset elections by the next candidate on the list." This follows Edelstein's recent move to launch a new right-wing party with Gilad Erdan.

Erdan will lead the new party, with Edelstein positioned second. At the launch event held at Expo Tel Aviv, Erdan pledged the party's commitment to shared burden and the formation of a broad Zionist government. Edelstein explained his decision to i24NEWS, stating that he concluded he could no longer advance his values within Likud, which he feels no longer serves as a home for him and his allies. He believes this new political framework will better serve the public.

Edelstein also criticized a conscription bill being advanced by MK Boaz Bismuth, calling it a "complete evasion law" and highlighting the removal of essential clauses that could have led to the actual enlistment of ultra-Orthodox individuals.