Former minister Gilad Erdan said in an interview that he received an offer from Likud via a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Erdan stated he clarified that the offer is not on his agenda. The full interview aired on 103FM.
Former minister and UN ambassador Gilad Erdan said in a Sunday morning interview on 103FM that he received an offer from Likud via a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and made clear that the offer is not on his agenda. The statement adds a new layer to the political saga that began Saturday evening, when Erdan first revealed he had rejected a reserved spot on the Likud list, citing the October 7 massacre as a reason to set aside personal ambitions. Later that evening, Likud issued a denial saying Netanyahu had not offered Erdan a reserved slot, either directly or indirectly.
As The Zioneer reported Saturday at 19:42 Jerusalem, Erdan's initial claim was made on N12's 'Meet the Press' program, where he said the October 7 attack compelled him to reassess his political path. The same evening, Likud's denial contradicted that account. Now, in a new interview with Gideon Oko and Almog Boker on 103FM, Erdan adds that the approach came via a Netanyahu confidant, providing a more specific description of the overture he declined.
Erdan left Likud in June to co-found a new political movement with former minister Yuli Edelstein. The Zioneer has reported on his extensive political talks, including with Ayelet Shaked and Olympic medalist Oren Smadja, as well as his stated intention to lead the national camp and avoid recruiting individuals from the previous 'change government.' The broader political landscape has seen shifts, with The Zioneer noting on June 18 that a survey showed Gadi Eisenkot's party surging past Naftali Bennett's and closing to within one seat of Likud.
It remains unclear whether the offer Erdan described was for a reserved spot on the Likud list — as he initially claimed — or a different form of return. Likud's denial Saturday did not address the possibility of an indirect approach via a confidant, which Erdan now confirms. The full interview airs on 103FM.
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