Former Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch Joins New Right-Wing Party Founded by Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein

Dr. Aliza Bloch, former mayor of Beit Shemesh and education professional, has joined the new political party established by former Likud members Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein. Bloch, who served as Beit Shemesh mayor from 2018 to 2024 and previously led the Branco Weiss high school network, left her role as president of the Israeli Center for Excellence in Education to enter national politics. The party, announced just last week ahead of the October elections, aims to represent a right-wing nationalist constituency disillusioned with Likud's recent policies, particularly regarding ultra-Orthodox military conscription.

Erdan and Edelstein have publicly criticized Likud, with Erdan stating on Thursday that he no longer considers Likud his political home after more than 30 years, accusing it of failing to represent its voters. This has sparked a heated exchange between the new party and Likud, including disputes over alleged offers of secured Knesset seats and accusations of vote theft. Likud labeled Erdan and Edelstein as "bitter fake right-wingers" working to transfer votes to a left-wing government led by Benny Gantz, a charge the new party denied, accusing Likud of abandoning soldiers and their families.

The new party also highlighted Erdan and Edelstein's opposition to the 2005 Gaza disengagement, contrasting it with the current Likud leadership's support for the withdrawal, without directly naming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite the party's recent formation and low polling below the electoral threshold, Bloch's inclusion signals an effort to broaden its appeal ahead of the upcoming elections.