Ex-Labor MK Eli Goldschmidt Joins Likud, Criticizes Netanyahu

Former Labor Party faction leader Eli Goldschmidt has been placed in the 26th spot on the Likud party's Knesset list, a reserved slot typically allocated by party leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Goldschmidt, a former MK from the 13th to 15th Knessets, previously held positions on key committees including Constitution, Law and Justice, and Finance. He resigned from the Knesset in 2001, citing disillusionment with politics and his party's perceived lack of effort in elections.

According to an official Likud statement, Goldschmidt experienced a "sobering" following the October 7th attacks, leading him to change his political and security views and now support Netanyahu and the national camp. He had previously announced intentions to form a party called "Israel is Waking Up" to oppose a Palestinian state and support Netanyahu.

However, in videos posted online in 2024, Goldschmidt sharply criticized Netanyahu. In one video from July 2024, he questioned Netanyahu's speech to the Zionist Congress, stating that while Netanyahu's English was good, the speech omitted crucial details. Goldschmidt accused Netanyahu of enabling Hamas's entry on October 7th, funding Hamas, and allowing Hezbollah's armament, asserting that Netanyahu was responsible for these failures and lacked self-awareness.

In another video, Goldschmidt compared Netanyahu unfavorably to Winston Churchill, suggesting that under Netanyahu's leadership, England might have lost World War II. He also addressed Sara Netanyahu, accusing her and her family of not being democrats and desiring a dictatorship. The Likud party stated Goldschmidt had "sobered up," but it appears they overlooked his recent online criticisms.