The Likud faction's WhatsApp group removed MK Dan Illouz after his move to Yisrael Beiteinu, according to N12's Amit Segal. The group sent the parting message 'Goodbye, populist.' Illouz announced his defection earlier Wednesday evening.
Wednesday evening, N12 reported that the Likud parliamentary faction's internal WhatsApp group removed MK Dan Illouz with the message 'Goodbye, populist,' confirming earlier reports by Ynet. The removal occurred shortly after Illouz's defection from Likud to Yisrael Beiteinu.
The Zioneer reported at 20:31 Jerusalem that Illouz had officially joined Avigdor Liberman's party. At 20:52 Jerusalem, the desk reported that Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz had expelled Illouz from the faction meeting, and later that Katz had removed him from the WhatsApp group with the same wording. The Ynet report established the specific parting message, and the N12 report now corroborates it.
The defection follows a rift within Likud over Haredi draft exemptions, with Illouz publicly criticizing the party's direction. The Zioneer reported on Wednesday evening that Illouz stated the Likud had become a 'subcontractor' for Haredi leaders. The departure of Illouz, alongside the earlier exit of former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, signals internal turmoil within the ruling party.
No further details on the internal Likud dynamics have been reported.
4 developments
- DevelopingAmit Segal reports: MK Dan Illouz joins Yisrael Beiteinu, gets realistic spot on slate
- DevelopingIllouz, alongside Lieberman, says Likud now a subcontractor for Haredi leaders, urges vote for Yisrael Beiteinu
- StrongGadi Yevarkan leaves Likud to form new party 'Beit Yisrael'
- StrongCoalition chairman reprimands MK Dan Ilouz
Source and signal
- Open-source intake