Gilad Erdan to Announce New Right-Wing Party with Yuli Edelstein as No. 2

Gilad Erdan, former minister and ambassador, is set to announce the formation of a new right-wing political party on Thursday. Yuli Edelstein, who left Likud about a month ago, will be placed second on the party's list. This initiative aims to create an alternative right-wing option within what is being called the "third bloc," a crowded political space seeking to offer voters a new choice beyond the existing right-wing parties.

Erdan has been in talks with several figures, including Edelstein, former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch, and businessman Chazi Nechama, who confirmed ongoing advanced discussions. Additional negotiations are underway with other political entities and personalities. A key condition set by Erdan is opposition to any coalition involving the Democratic Party, ruling out both external support or sharing significant ministerial portfolios with them. This stance limits potential coalition options and complicates alliances within the third bloc.

The new party's establishment reflects the fragmented nature of Israel's right-wing political landscape, with multiple initiatives competing to present themselves as viable alternatives to Likud. Erdan's announcement is expected to reshape the dynamics ahead of the upcoming elections, though the exact coalition alignments remain uncertain due to his red lines regarding the Democratic Party.