Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein Plan New Party Launch Without Benny Gantz

Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein are preparing to announce the formation of a new political party, potentially as soon as tomorrow, though no final decision has been made. Despite recent discussions between Edelstein and Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, the new party's launch is expected to proceed without Blue and White's involvement. Gantz and his party were reportedly unaware of the move until informed by the media. Both Edelstein and Erdan declined to comment on the reports.

In parallel, news anchor Netta Shamtov met with Erdan, who invited her to join the new party, but she refused. There have been previous talks about reserving a spot for Shamtov in Likud, though nothing is confirmed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to finalize his reserved candidate list and may offer Shamtov a position, but her acceptance remains uncertain. Shamtov, a resident of Metula displaced during the recent war, is currently engaged in a legal and media battle against Channel 13 following her dismissal.

Erdan has also been negotiating with Edelstein, former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch, and retired Brigadier General Hazi Nahama. Discussions with Olympic medalist Oren Smadja are ongoing but not concluded. Netanyahu, who can assign eight reserved slots realistically, aims to include candidates who are disillusioned with the current coalition, especially over its alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties. Among those expected to receive reserved spots are Gideon Sa'ar and possibly Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's deputy, Michel Buskila, under an agreement with New Hope.

Netanyahu may also need to allocate reserved slots to ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to unify the right-wing and prevent vote splitting. Former minister Ron Dermer has so far refused a Likud reserved spot due to family opposition. Another reserved slot unlikely to materialize is for Talik Goili, mother of fallen Israeli hero Ran Goili. Netanyahu has also considered reserving spots for lawyer David Petel and former footballer Eli Ohana, both supportive of the government.

Erdan recently issued two political statements: one criticizing Netanyahu's attempt to evade the arrest law, declaring he will not join a narrow government, and another attacking Defense Minister Israel Katz for the live dismissal of Central Command Chief Avi Blot. Erdan condemned Katz for "small politics" harming national security and called for respect and support for IDF officers from true right-wing leadership.