Dan Illouz Reveals One-Third of Likud Tried to Oust Netanyahu After October 7 Attack

Former Likud MK Dan Illouz, who recently left the party due to disagreements over legislation favoring ultra-Orthodox Jews, disclosed in an interview with Ynet's "120 and One" that in the weeks following the October 7 terror attack, a significant initiative emerged within Likud to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from the prime ministership. Illouz stated that about one-third of the Likud faction believed a leadership change was necessary for Israel, but not through elections since the country was in the midst of intense war. Instead, they sought to do so via a vote of no confidence. The effort failed not due to insufficient numbers but because of internal disputes over who should lead the replacement.

Illouz further revealed that today, Likud members compete to appear closest and most favored by Netanyahu ahead of primaries, contrasting with the post-attack period when at least a third of the faction supported a dramatic leadership change. This plan was shelved mainly after Gideon Sa'ar joined the coalition, complicating the situation. Illouz also criticized the ongoing concessions to ultra-Orthodox parties, calling the partnership a "existential threat" to Israel. He distinguished between the ultra-Orthodox public, which he respects, and the political parties, which he accused of obstructing integration of their communities into the economy and military.

He warned that the ultra-Orthodox population is growing and must integrate, but the parties' resistance to this integration endangers the state. Illouz claimed that most of the Likud list is willing to continue yielding to ultra-Orthodox demands, citing polls showing Likud losing about 10 seats to opposition parties, partly due to this issue. His remarks highlight internal Likud tensions and the political challenges Israel faces amid ongoing conflict and coalition dynamics.