Yuli Edelstein Quits Likud After 23 Years, Announces New Political Path

Knesset member Yuli Edelstein announced on Friday afternoon his decision to leave the Likud party after 23 years. Speaking on the program "Meet the Press" on Channel 12, Edelstein declared he will not run in the upcoming Likud primaries and intends to embark on a new political journey. He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting that many longtime supporters might be surprised and disappointed.

Edelstein, 67, joined Likud in 2003 following the merger with his previous party, Israel Beiteinu. He has been a senior figure within Likud, serving as Speaker of the Knesset from 2013 to 2020. In the outgoing Knesset, he chaired the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee until July 2025, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed him amid pressure from ultra-Orthodox factions due to his refusal to advance legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service. His replacement was MK Boaz Bismuth.

After being ousted from the committee entirely in October for voting against coalition positions, Edelstein continued to act independently. Just days ago, he voted against the "Basic Law: Torah Study," a bill promoted by the coalition as part of a political deal between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties. He criticized the law as institutionalizing draft evasion and called for a serious conscription law with clear goals and sanctions to encourage ultra-Orthodox enlistment.

Edelstein also opposed a temporary freeze on arresting draft evaders and voted against granting parliamentary immunity to MK Tali Gottlieb, questioning whether the Knesset would remain silent if Arab MKs revealed names of Mossad or Shin Bet agents. His resignation announcement coincides with reports that he is already in talks to form a new political framework.