MK Dan Illouz Officially Leaves Likud Citing Party Hijacking and Policy Failures

Member of Knesset Dan Illouz announced his official departure from the Likud party on Wednesday evening, declaring he will not run in the upcoming primaries after serving a single term. Illouz’s resignation follows a similar announcement less than two weeks earlier by MK Yuli Edelstein, deepening the internal crisis within the ruling party ahead of the elections.

In his resignation statement, Illouz sharply criticized his party colleagues and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he could no longer endorse a party he no longer supports. He accused Likud of being "hijacked" and stated that after the events of October 7, it was clear Netanyahu should end his tenure after this term. Illouz condemned the party for avoiding responsibility, citing actions such as removing the word "massacre" from legislation and blocking the establishment of an investigative committee.

Illouz also strongly opposed the party’s stance on military conscription, calling it a "disgrace" that the Likud has repeatedly conceded to ultra-Orthodox parties to institutionalize draft exemptions. He argued there is no difference today between voting for Likud, Shas, or the Religious Zionist Party led by Bezalel Smotrich. On economic issues, Illouz blamed the party for failing to address the high cost of living, accusing it of being controlled by interest groups that exacerbate the problem.

Reflecting on his future, Illouz said he left a promising career abroad 18 years ago to immigrate to Israel and serve in the IDF, and pledged to continue working for the country with integrity and determination from wherever he is. During his term, Illouz was known as a critical voice within Likud, opposing several coalition-backed laws, including consistently challenging the conscription law. Notably, he voted against the bill to cancel detention of draft dodgers but supported legislation aimed at weakening the Attorney General’s authority.

Illouz’s departure marks a significant blow to Likud as it faces growing internal dissent and challenges ahead of the next elections.