Likud Launches Sharp Attack on Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein Amid New Right-Wing Party Formation

The political conflict between the Likud party and former members Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein has intensified. Likud issued a strong statement on Sunday, labeling Erdan and Edelstein as "bitter fake right-wingers" after Erdan claimed he was recently offered a reserved spot on the Likud electoral list, which he immediately rejected. Likud accused the two of attempting to siphon right-wing votes to support a left-wing coalition led by Gadi Eizenkot, Yair Golan, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Erdan revealed in an interview on the program "Meet the Press" that he declined the reserved spot not because of its position but due to his unwillingness to return to a political system where he could not lead independently or make autonomous decisions. He emphasized he had no interest in being second-in-command or subordinate to any party leader. Likud quickly denied Erdan's claim, stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu never offered him a reserved seat, either directly or indirectly.

Following the denial, Likud shifted to a direct political attack against Erdan and Edelstein, accusing them of undermining right-wing voters to benefit a rival government. This confrontation comes shortly after Erdan and Edelstein announced their new right-wing political partnership, signaling a significant rift within the Israeli right-wing political landscape.