Dan Illouz Criticizes Netanyahu and Likud After Joining Yisrael Beiteinu

Dan Illouz, a Knesset member, responded sharply a day after announcing his departure from the Likud party to join Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman. Illouz accused Likud and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning right-wing Zionist values and becoming executors of demands from ultra-Orthodox politicians Aryeh Deri and Moshe Gafni. He claimed hundreds of thousands of right-wing voters have left Likud since the elections, asserting their place is now with Yisrael Beiteinu.

Illouz criticized Netanyahu's leadership, stating he failed the country and should resign immediately. He highlighted that about ten right-wing Knesset seats were lost due to Likud's concessions to ultra-Orthodox interests, avoidance of responsibility, and inability to make decisive moves. Illouz condemned the government's priorities, accusing Netanyahu of surrendering to draft evaders instead of promoting Zionism, reverting to cyclical political crises rather than decisive governance, and favoring sectoral economic interests over free market principles.

He further accused Netanyahu of empty declarations instead of applying sovereignty and of evading accountability for what Illouz called the worst massacre since the Holocaust by refusing to establish a state investigative committee. Illouz concluded that the public received populism and incitement instead of the Betar spirit, and that those wishing to continue the legacy of Menachem Begin and Ze'ev Jabotinsky cannot support today's Likud.

Explaining his move to Yisrael Beiteinu, Illouz praised Lieberman as a principled right-wing leader who opposed the disengagement plan and the release of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, resigned over Qatari funding issues, and consistently warned of security dangers. He noted Lieberman supports settlement and has proven himself in all roles. Illouz called on the right-liberal public to strengthen Yisrael Beiteinu to form a national Zionist government without ultra-Orthodox or Arab parties. He announced he will submit his resignation from the Knesset in the coming days after completing logistical steps.