MK Yuli Edelstein announced in a live interview on N12's Meet the Press that he is leaving the Likud party after 23 years and embarking on a new political path. He criticized the party's approach to military service, asking, 'Will we continue to enable draft dodging?'
MK Yuli Edelstein confirmed his departure from the Likud party in a live interview on N12's Meet the Press on Saturday evening, after 23 years as a party member. Edelstein said he is leaving to chart a 'new path' and sharply criticized the party's stance on security and national service, asking, 'Will we continue to enable draft dodging?'
This marks the formal on-air confirmation of a move the Zioneer first reported in late June, when political commentator Yehuda Schlesinger disclosed that Edelstein was expected to leave Likud and was in talks with figures such as Gilad Erdan and Ayelet Shaked. The Zioneer subsequently reported that Edelstein would establish a new political framework aiming for a national unity government. The live confirmation now clarifies the timing and motivation: Edelstein cited Likud's policies on military service as a key reason for his departure.
4 developments
- DevelopingEdelstein tells N12 he can no longer justify Likud policies, will form new unity government framework
- DevelopingYuli Edelstein expected to leave Likud, reportedly in talks with Erdan, Shaked
- StrongYuli Edelstein's Likud departure triggers political gridlock, Ayalon highway blocked
- DevelopingLapid: Edelstein Could Have Left Likud Also in August
Source and signal
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