Former Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch Joins New Party of Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein

Aliza Bloch, the former mayor of Beit Shemesh, announced on Monday her decision to join the new political party formed by former Likud members Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein. Bloch, 59, led Beit Shemesh from 2018 to 2024 and previously managed a high school network. Erdan and Edelstein launched their party last week, but it has yet to surpass the electoral threshold in polls, and its official name remains undecided. Erdan criticized Likud, saying he no longer considers it his political home after over 30 years, accusing its current leadership of no longer representing its voters.

Since the party's formation, tensions have escalated between Likud and the new faction. Likud accused Erdan and Edelstein of being "bitter fake right-wingers" aiming to steal votes for a left-wing coalition led by Gadi Eizenkot, Yair Golan, and the Muslim Brotherhood. The new party responded by blaming Likud for abandoning soldiers' families and supporting the evacuation of Gush Katif, a move Erdan and Edelstein opposed.

Separately, Gadi Eizenkot's party "Yashar" announced the addition of entrepreneur and social activist Shir'el Chugag. Chugag, a native of Ofakim, brings extensive managerial experience, including serving as CEO of the AM:PM chain. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Chugag has been a vocal advocate for accountability and the establishment of a state commission to investigate the tragedy. Eizenkot praised Chugag as a symbol of responsible leadership and emphasized the party's commitment to improving government efficiency and restoring public trust damaged by political appointments and weakened oversight.

Chugag stated that the October 7 attack revealed systemic failures but also highlighted the strength of Israeli society. He joined Eizenkot's party to promote professionalism and innovation in government, aiming to bridge the gap between policy decisions and their impact on citizens. In the coming weeks, he plans to present a program focused on enhancing government services and decision-making processes to build a more efficient and citizen-centered state.