Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein announce creation of new party and outline goals

Former minister and Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan and Knesset member Yuli Edelstein announced the creation of a new right-wing centrist party. Erdan criticized Likud, saying the party no longer represents voters. Key principles: equal distribution of duties and a broad Zionist coalition. Erdan opposes a Palestinian state and supports mandatory service for all. Edelstein spoke about his removal from the chairmanship of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

On Thursday evening, August 6, former minister and former Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan announced the creation of a new right-wing centrist political party together with Knesset member Yuli Edelstein. In his speech, Erdan sharply criticized his former political force, the Likud party, saying it no longer represents the interests of its voters. He said he was saying goodbye to the political home to which he had devoted more than 30 years. The new party has not yet received an official name, but its main principles will be equal distribution of public duties and the creation of a broad Zionist coalition. Erdan stressed that the party will not enter any narrow coalition government. He declared his belief in the Land of Israel, the development of Jewish settlements, and strong state power, as well as his categorical rejection of the creation of a Palestinian state. Erdan paid special attention to the issue of mandatory military service, promising to promote the adoption of a new Basic Law on service that would establish the principle: every Israeli citizen must perform either military or national civil service. He cited examples of inequality: a young man from Umm al-Fahm can start university at 18, while a young man from Ofakim only after three years of service in the IDF. Erdan also said that Israelis have been convinced for years of a false choice between national values and equal distribution of duties, but true right-wing views include both. Yuli Edelstein, speaking after Erdan, said the new party should become a political home for hundreds of thousands of Israelis. He commented on his recent removal from the chairmanship of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee after refusing to advance a bill to exempt ultra-Orthodox from service. Edelstein said he paid a personal and political price but is proud to have remained true to his principles and prevented the passage of a "dangerous law on draft evasion." He stressed that the new party is being created for those who have lost political representation, and that together with Erdan they will put an end to personal boycotts and achieve a decisive result in the upcoming elections.