Gilad Erdan Leaves Likud Citing Lack of Influence, Rejects Narrow Government Role

In an interview with "Meet the Press," Gilad Erdan explained his decision to leave the Likud party after decades of membership. Erdan, a former Likud leader, minister, and Israeli ambassador to the UN, said he concluded that it is impossible to effect real change from within Likud due to the current political reality. He expressed deep affection for Likud members and voters but criticized the party for no longer representing hundreds of thousands of right-wing supporters.

Erdan sharply condemned the ongoing broad exemption of the ultra-Orthodox community from military service, attributing these policies to political survival rather than the national interest. He emphasized that he will not join a narrow government coalition, whether led by the right or left, calling such "narrow governments a real trouble." Instead, he advocated for a broad Zionist unity government capable of addressing Israel’s security, economic, and social challenges.

When asked if he had been offered a reserved spot on the Likud list to return, Erdan confirmed the offer but said he rejected it outright. He stated he has no interest in being a second-in-command or subordinate to another leader, expressing his desire to lead and guide. Erdan’s new party aims to break political boycotts between factions and establish a unity government that will implement wide-ranging reforms, including a national service law requiring all Israeli citizens to serve in the military or national service.