Likud MK Dan Illouz Quits Party Citing Opposition to Haredi Deal and Lack of Internal Debate

Dan Illouz, a member of the Knesset elected in 2022, announced he will leave the Likud party in the coming week, following Yuli Edelstein's recent departure. Illouz has been a prominent critic within Likud against the so-called "Haredi deal," which was exposed by ynet, and he has openly opposed related legislation. Notably, about six weeks ago, he voted against the daycare law despite a personal call from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to support it.

Recently, after the Basic Law on Torah Study was softened, Illouz declared his opposition to the revised version, stating that removing a clause defining the law's purpose did not change its essence. He accused the party leadership of a political maneuver to disguise the law's true intent, which he believes facilitates draft evasion.

About a week ago, Illouz sent a letter to the coalition leadership demanding that Likud convene faction meetings before the Knesset dissolves. He criticized the party for not meeting for months or even years, arguing that while this might have been justifiable during wartime, it is now unacceptable. He emphasized the importance of discussing critical issues openly within the faction and condemned the automatic voting behavior of some MKs, calling it a betrayal of the public they represent.

Illouz's departure marks another significant exit from Likud, reflecting internal dissent over the party's handling of coalition agreements and legislative processes under Netanyahu's leadership.