Likud MK Tali Gottlieb Accuses Former Security Committee Chair Edelstein of Undermining Netanyahu

Likud Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb launched a sharp public attack against her party colleague, former Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein, accusing him of actions that harmed the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gottlieb criticized Edelstein's conduct during his tenure, alleging he protected senior security officials and civil servants from parliamentary scrutiny and obstructed criticism of the military leadership.

Gottlieb recalled an incident where former Defense Minister Yoav Galant distanced himself from Netanyahu's victory chants during a committee session, and Edelstein reportedly laughed with opposition members. When Gottlieb protested, she was removed from the meeting. She further accused Edelstein of aspiring to replace Netanyahu as a "constructive prime minister" and of shielding top Shin Bet officials and the military advocate general from tough questioning.

Regarding the contentious conscription law, Gottlieb claimed Edelstein nearly caused the government's collapse by presenting a draft that contradicted prior agreements. She accused him of falsely portraying himself as a proponent of ultra-Orthodox conscription, calling it a "sham farce." Gottlieb concluded with a harsh rebuke, stating Edelstein proved disloyal to Likud and Netanyahu during wartime, contrasting his "servile mentality" with the leadership mentality she believes the right-wing needs. She suggested Edelstein could seek political refuge with other right-wing figures but warned that Likud does not forgive disloyalty.