Former Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch Joins Gilad Erdan's Party, Sparks Controversy Over Ra'am Comments

Aliza Bloch, the former mayor of Beit Shemesh, officially joined the new political party formed by Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein on Monday. In her first media interview since joining, Bloch sparked controversy by suggesting there could be room for the Arab party Ra'am in a broad coalition government, a statement she later retracted amid backlash. Bloch, who led Beit Shemesh from 2018 to 2024, initially said in a Channel 12 interview that "there is room for everyone," including Arab parties willing to commit to the state's Jewish identity and reject terrorism. She emphasized the need to move beyond divisive politics and build unity.

Following the political uproar, Bloch clarified her position, stating she opposes any government that includes parties supporting terrorism or refusing to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. She insisted that a broad government must include only Zionist parties that acknowledge Israel's Jewish character. Gilad Erdan echoed this stance, firmly ruling out any coalition with Ra'am or the Joint List, which he labeled as terrorist-supporting parties. However, he left open the possibility of including patriotic Arab parties that support national service and Israel's Jewish identity.

Erdan and Edelstein's new party, established about a week ago, faces significant challenges, struggling to pass the electoral threshold in recent polls and facing criticism from Likud as a "fake right-wing" faction. Bloch, who also managed a high school network before her mayoral tenure, is expected to be placed on the party's Knesset list. The controversy surrounding her initial remarks highlights her inexperience in national politics, despite her local political background.