Right-Wing Israeli Politicians Explore New Party Alliances Ahead of Elections

Several prominent right-wing Israeli politicians are actively negotiating new political alliances as they prepare for the upcoming elections. Yuli Edelstein announced his departure from Likud after 23 years and is in talks with former minister Ayelet Shaked to form a new party focused on issues like equal burden sharing and excluding Arab parties from the coalition. Their emerging alliance may also include attorney Shavot Ra'anan and David Ben-Zion, deputy head of the Shomron Regional Council.

Meanwhile, Gilad Erdan, former Likud minister and Israeli ambassador to the UN, is considering establishing a unifying right-wing party with a similar platform on equal burden sharing. Erdan is conducting parallel talks with Edelstein and Shaked and has also engaged with Benny Gantz and Yoaz Hendel, although talks with Hendel have stalled. Hendel, leader of the Reservists party, is negotiating with Benny Gantz and retired fire commissioner Dedi Simchi for a joint run, aiming to form a unity government without Arab or extremist parties. Hendel insists on a clear commitment that the party will not join a government with ultra-Orthodox parties.

Other figures such as MK Hili Tropper, who left Gantz's Blue and White, former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch, and MK Sharren Haskel from New Hope are exploring their political futures and potential alliances. Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter is also considering entering politics, holding discussions with Amir Avivi, founder of the "Securityists" movement, and has been linked to possible collaboration with Bezalel Smotrich or running independently.

These developments reflect a dynamic reshuffling on the Israeli right, with multiple factions seeking to establish new political frameworks ahead of the next Knesset elections and the push to form a government that can pass key legislation such as the draft law and end the era of political disqualifications.