Attacks Netanyahu and opposes narrow government: Erdan's announcement of candidacy - this week

Former minister Gilad Erdan is expected to announce in the coming days the establishment of a party and his candidacy in the elections for the 26th Knesset. He is holding talks with MK Yuli Edelstein, former mayor Aliza Bloch, reserve colonel Hizi Nahama, and Olympic medalist Oren Smadja. Erdan attacked Netanyahu over the U-turn on the exemption from arrest law for Haredi draft dodgers, writing: "We no longer buy promises about 'enlistment' and 'unity'." He will have to contend with the claim that he is a "proxy" of Netanyahu.

Former minister Gilad Erdan is expected to announce in the coming days the establishment of a party and his candidacy in the elections for the 26th Knesset, after about two weeks of delays. His office has contacted websites to coordinate a location for the announcement. Meanwhile, Erdan today (Sunday) published a frontal response to statements made in the name of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to which he is making a U-turn regarding the law exempting Haredi draft dodgers from arrest. Erdan wrote on X: "We no longer buy promises about 'enlistment', we no longer buy promises about 'unity'. We will not sit in a narrow government, of anyone." He is conducting negotiations with a series of figures, including MK Yuli Edelstein, former mayor of Beit Shemesh Aliza Bloch, reserve colonel Hizi Nahama, and Olympic medalist Oren Smadja. Similar to the parties of the "third bloc", Erdan will try to promote a unity government and will not settle for a narrow government for either side. However, he will have to contend with the claim that he is a "proxy" of Netanyahu, since he comes from the Likud and his people are identified with the right. It is unclear if there is additional room in the third bloc, given the candidacies of Benny Gantz, Yoaz Hendel, and Hili Tropper.