MK Dan Illouz Joins Yisrael Beiteinu, Supports Avigdor Lieberman for PM

Dan Illouz, a member of the Knesset who recently left Likud, has officially joined the Yisrael Beiteinu party and expressed his support for its leader, Avigdor Lieberman, as prime minister. Illouz, a lawyer by profession who immigrated to Israel from Canada, served in the IDF and worked at the Foreign Ministry before entering politics. He was previously elected to the Knesset on the Likud list and served on the Jerusalem City Council.

During his tenure in the Knesset, Illouz was a prominent opponent of the controversial military conscription law, a stance that reportedly cost him politically within Likud. In his announcement, Illouz criticized his former party, stating that Likud has become an executor for ultra-Orthodox parties led by Aryeh Deri and Yitzhak Goldknopf. He also blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing in leadership and called on him to take responsibility and step down. Illouz urged voters seeking a genuine right-wing option to support Yisrael Beiteinu.

Avigdor Lieberman welcomed Illouz's move, praising his courage, integrity, and willingness to pay a personal price for his principles. Lieberman described Illouz's joining as a significant boost to the Zionist, national, and liberal camp ahead of the 2026 elections.