MK Dan Illouz Joins Yisrael Beiteinu, Criticizes Netanyahu and Likud Over Draft Law

MK Dan Illouz officially joined the Yisrael Beiteinu party led by Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday, following his departure from Likud about two weeks earlier. Illouz announced his support for Lieberman as prime minister and sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud leadership for their handling of the military draft law, accusing them of becoming "implementers for Deri and Goldknopf."

Illouz's move comes after prolonged internal tensions within the Likud faction due to his independent stances, especially his strong opposition to the draft law framework promoted by the coalition. During his single Knesset term with Likud, Illouz was a prominent internal opposition voice on the issue of drafting yeshiva students. His resistance led to significant sanctions by Likud, including removal from Knesset committees and loss of the right to submit private bills. He described the alliance with ultra-Orthodox leadership as an existential threat to Israel and recently voted against the Basic Law on Torah Study, which precipitated his split from the party.

In his announcement, Illouz called on right-wing liberal and nationalist Likud voters to leave the party and support Yisrael Beiteinu, stating Netanyahu failed in leadership and should take responsibility by stepping down. He portrayed Yisrael Beiteinu as the true representative of the national vision of Ze'ev Jabotinsky and Menachem Begin. Illouz also criticized Likud for repeatedly yielding to ultra-Orthodox parties despite the IDF warning of collapse under the burden.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman warmly welcomed Illouz, praising his courage, integrity, and principled stand against draft evasion and for equal burden sharing. Illouz, a lawyer by training who immigrated from Canada, served in the IDF and began his public career at the Foreign Ministry and Jerusalem city council before his Knesset election with Likud. Besides his draft law activism, he promoted free-market economic policies, fought high living costs, and co-sponsored key legislative initiatives including ending UNRWA operations, banning foreign consulates in Jerusalem, and applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.