Likud Launches Sharp Attack on New Right-Wing Party Led by Edelstein and Ardan

The political conflict within Israel's right-wing camp intensified as MK Yuli Edelstein, who recently launched a new party alongside Gilad Ardan, suggested on Galei Tzahal radio that they might recommend Benny Gantz for prime minister if he gains substantial support. This statement prompted an immediate response from the Likud party, which accused Edelstein and Ardan of being "bitter fake right-wingers" aiming to steal votes and hand them to a "deceptive left-wing government bloc" led by Gantz, Yair Golan, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

In reply, Ardan posted a video strongly rejecting Likud's accusations, asserting that those who betray right-wing voters are the current Likud leadership, which he accused of abandoning soldiers' families and supporting the controversial disengagement from Gush Katif, a move he and Edelstein opposed. Edelstein clarified their party's goals, emphasizing support only for forming a broad Zionist government and refusing to be the "61st vote" for any bloc, leaving the choice of prime minister to the public.

The new party's announcement last week focused on opposing the disengagement plan and promoting equal military service burden, targeting a right-wing, nationalist audience. Despite currently polling below the electoral threshold in some surveys, Likud views the new party as a potential threat to its nationalist base and has responded with a direct attack campaign. The tensions escalated after Ardan claimed on a TV program that Netanyahu recently offered him a ministerial position, which Likud vehemently denied, calling it "complete fake news."