Likud Shake-Up: Edelstein and Illouz Exit Opens Door for Two New MKs

The expected departures of Likud lawmakers Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz to other political parties will trigger a reshuffle within Likud, clearing the way for commentator Erez Tadmor and Likud's chareidi activist Shabtai Katz to enter the Knesset.

Edelstein is preparing to join a new party led by Gilad Erdan, while Illouz is moving to Yisrael Beiteinu. Their resignations from the Knesset will create two vacancies on the Likud list. Following Tzachi Hanegbi's departure from Likud and the National Security Council, Katz would replace Illouz and Tadmor would take Edelstein's seat in the 25th Knesset.

Likud MK Avichai Boaron called on both lawmakers to resign within 24 hours, threatening to seek their formal declaration as defectors if they refuse. "Dan Illouz and Yuli Edelstein are acting in an immoral manner," Boaron said. "A person can change his opinion, but making a political switch while trading on the votes of the public and the mandate they received from Likud voters is unacceptable, ugly, and a betrayal of the public's trust. They must resign immediately. If they do not do so within the next 24 hours, I will work to convene the faction and advance proceedings to have them declared 'defectors.'"

Illouz responded sharply, stating: "Boaron is apparently in a difficult position ahead of the primaries and needs public attention at any price. As I already announced, I intend to resign from the Knesset after I finish packing up my office, tomorrow or Tuesday - and that is despite the fact that I represented the Likud's declared values more than anyone else during this term."

Illouz is expected to leave before the Likud primaries scheduled for August 17. Edelstein has not yet decided whether to step down before or after the party vote.

A legal question has arisen within Likud, as both Katz and Tadmor are candidates in upcoming primaries for the Jerusalem-Judea and Samaria-Shfela district. Some questioned whether becoming sitting Knesset members before the primaries would disqualify them under party rules. Legal sources within Likud said this would not be the case, as their service would last less than six months and thus would not provide the longer-term advantages associated with incumbency.

Katz is an attorney and businessman from Lod and serves as chairman of Likud's chareidi headquarters. Tadmor is a co-founder of the Im Tirtzu movement, a columnist, and longtime ally of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, having previously served as one of Netanyahu's speechwriters.

Should another Likud seat become vacant, the next candidate on the party list would be Gilad Sharon, son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Sharon previously sought to run in Likud but was blocked by Netanyahu after refusing to meet the party's required waiting period.