Gilad Erdan quits IAI board amid speculation over new right-wing party

Former minister Gilad Erdan announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down from the board of Israel Aerospace Industries, as Israel heads toward the 2026 election season. He informed fellow board members that he is in a period of major decisions and that his attention is now focused on those choices.

The move comes about a month and a half after Erdan told N12's "Shabbat" program with Keren Marciano that he is considering forming a unifying right-wing party. At the time, he said the proposed party would not rely on ultra-Orthodox parties or Arab votes.

Erdan described himself as a clear right-wing politician, saying, "I am not a centrist, I am a clear right-winger." He argued there is a large public, especially after October 7, that is frustrated with the current political alternatives.

According to Erdan, many voters are tired of a right-wing government dependent on ultra-Orthodox parties, which he said prevents real partnership on military service and core curriculum studies that would help broader integration into the labor market. On the left, he said, especially after the merger of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, there is a competition over who will lead the bloc and a tendency to boycott meetings with the other side, while such a left-wing government would also depend on Arab votes. Further details are expected later.