Israeli politician Benny Gantz has reportedly congratulated Ardan and Yuli Edelstein, according to a brief message posted Thursday evening.
Israeli politician Benny Gantz congratulated Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein on their new party in a message posted Thursday evening, hours after the pair formally launched their right-wing faction. The announcement of the new party came at 18:31 Jerusalem, when Erdan and Edelstein declared they would not join any narrow coalition and called for a broad Zionist government. Gantz's brief message did not specify the nature of his congratulations.
At 18:31 Jerusalem, multiple Israeli media outlets reported the launch of the party. Erdan stated that Likud 'does not represent the voters' and that he 'can no longer call it home.' Edelstein said the goal is to establish a broad Zionist government. The reports were carried by N12, ynet, and i24NEWS, among others, confirming the development.
The new party brings together two former Likud stalwarts who have been critical of the party's leadership. Erdan served as Israel's ambassador to the UN and the US, while Edelstein was Knesset Speaker. Their departure from Likud in recent weeks has reshaped the political landscape.
The content of Gantz's congratulatory message was not disclosed, and it remains unclear whether it signals any political coordination between his camp and the new party. No further details have been provided.
8 developments
- DevelopingGilad Erdan prepares to announce new right-wing party with Edelstein — report
- DevelopingErdan and Edelstein nearing announcement of joint political run, N12 reports
- DevelopingSegal: Gantz insists on top spot, stalling talks; Erdan, Edelstein likely to announce this week
- DevelopingGantz hints at political unification: 'Patience'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake