Former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein announced Friday evening that he will not contest the Likud primaries and is setting out on a new political path, hours after formally departing the party. 'I do not intend to run in the Likud primaries, I am embarking on a new political path,' Edelstein said. The statement follows his departure from Likud earlier today, as The Zioneer reported at 17:05 Jerusalem.
Former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein declared at 17:22 Jerusalem on Friday evening that he will not contest the Likud primaries and is embarking on a new political path. 'I do not intend to run in the Likud primaries, I am embarking on a new political path,' Edelstein said.
His statement comes minutes after a series of reports from The Zioneer at 16:59 Jerusalem. First, Edelstein told N12's Amit Segal that he was leaving Likud to form a new political framework. Within the same minute, reports indicated he was in talks with former ministers Gilad Erdan and Ayelet Shaked. Shortly thereafter, the official departure was confirmed — Edelstein said he could no longer justify the party's policies. The corroboration moved from a single news report to on-record confirmation within minutes.
As The Zioneer reported on June 29, Edelstein was expected to leave Likud, with talks underway with Erdan and Shaked. The current statement follows that trajectory but does not name specific partners or a new framework.
Edelstein's new political path remains unclear. He did not specify whether he intends to form a new party, join an existing one, or run as an independent. The announcement marks a significant shift for the veteran Likud figure, but the details of his next steps are still open.
5 developments
- DevelopingYuli Edelstein expected to leave Likud, reportedly in talks with Erdan, Shaked
- DevelopingEyal Golan summoned for questioning after Yuli Edelstein leaves Likud
- DevelopingEdelstein tells N12 he can no longer justify Likud policies, will form new unity government framework
- DevelopingLapid: Edelstein Could Have Left Likud Also in August
Source and signal
- Internal intake