Benny Gantz Welcomes Gilad Erdan’s New Right-Wing Party and Calls for Broad Zionist Unity Government

Shortly after former Israeli Ambassador to the UN and ex-minister Gilad Erdan announced the formation of a new right-wing political party, Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, publicly congratulated Erdan and former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein on their political return. Gantz praised their commitment to the idea of a "broad Zionist unity government," signaling openness to cooperation across the Zionist political spectrum.

Erdan, who left Likud after over 30 years, emphasized that his political stance remains firmly right-wing, opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state and supporting Israeli sovereignty and settlement. However, he stressed the need to move away from "narrow governments" and instead form a wide-ranging Zionist coalition government composed solely of Zionist parties. Erdan declared, "I will fight for the establishment of a broad Zionist government. I will not sit in any narrow government. No narrow government!"

Joining Erdan in launching the party was Yuli Edelstein, and their platform includes proposals such as a new Basic Law mandating military or national service for all Israeli citizens. The party aims to appeal to right-wing voters who want to uphold national camp values while promoting equal burden-sharing and a broad Zionist unity government.

Gantz’s public endorsement of Erdan and Edelstein’s initiative, particularly his support for a broad unity government, has sparked speculation about potential future political collaborations. However, no further comments or formal responses have been made by either side beyond Gantz’s initial congratulatory post.