Yuli Edelstein Leaves Likud After 20 Years, Announces New Political Path

Knesset member Yuli Edelstein announced on Saturday that he will not run in the upcoming Likud primaries and will leave the party at the end of the current Knesset session. Edelstein described Likud as his political home for over two decades but said recent events, particularly those of October 7, have shifted his political outlook. He emphasized his fight for equal military conscription and his opposition to legislation he viewed as allowing draft evasion, which led to his removal from key committee positions within Likud. "They removed me, and I am proud of it," he stated, referring to being ousted from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairmanship and from committee membership after supporting sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Edelstein revealed plans to establish a new political framework, aiming to form a broad government representing the 80% of Israelis who share common views. He stressed that he will not yield to extremists, rely on Arab parties, or grant unchecked power to ultra-Orthodox factions. He concluded by affirming his commitment to a "true, responsible right-wing" agenda, supporting settlement in Israel, strong security, free-market economics, judicial reform, and strengthening Jewish identity.

This move marks a significant shift in Israeli politics as Edelstein seeks to build a new political platform outside of Likud, reflecting his evolving stance following the October 7 attacks and internal party conflicts.