After announcing the new party: Gilad Erdan in an exclusive interview

Gilad Erdan, who announced the formation of a new right-wing party after leaving Likud, was interviewed on 'Meet the Press' and explained his actions. He claimed that one cannot truly influence from within Likud, rejected a slot that was offered to him, and called for breaking political boycotts and forming a broad unity government. He criticized Defense Minister Katz for blocking his appointment to head the Israel Aerospace Industries.

Former minister and ambassador Gilad Erdan arrived this evening (Saturday) for an interview on 'Meet the Press' after announcing the formation of a new right-wing party. Erdan explained why he left Likud, saying that 'one cannot truly influence what the country needs and do it from within Likud.' He noted that he was offered a slot in Likud in recent days and rejected it outright, because he does not want to be 'number two of any party.' Erdan called for breaking political boycotts and forming a broad unity government, and said he would not join a narrow government, neither of the right nor of the left. He attacked Defense Minister Israel Katz, who, according to him, 'preferred his political security over the security of Israeli citizens' when he blocked his appointment as chairman of the Israel Aerospace Industries. Erdan emphasized the need for burden-sharing and reducing the blanket exemption for Haredim from military service.