MK Dan Illouz joins Yisrael Beytenu after Likud departure, says Netanyahu ‘failed country’

MK Dan Illouz announced he is joining Yisrael Beytenu and endorsing Avigdor Liberman for prime minister, after leaving Likud. He criticized Netanyahu, saying he 'failed in leading the country' and called Likud a 'subcontractor' for haredi leaders. Illouz, a vocal opponent of the draft exemption bill, urged Likud voters to support Yisrael Beytenu.

MK Dan Illouz announced on Wednesday that he is joining the Yisrael Beytenu party and endorsing its chairman, MK Avigdor Liberman, for prime minister. This follows his recent departure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. Illouz stated, "Netanyahu has failed in leading the country, and he must take responsibility and go home." He sharply criticized Likud, calling it "a subcontractor" for haredi party leaders MK Arye Deri (Shas) and MK Yitzhak Goldknopf (United Torah Judaism). Illouz has been a vocal critic of the haredi-backed draft exemption legislation, which critics argue encourages draft evasion amid the IDF's manpower shortage. He left Likud last month, saying he could no longer vote for the party. Illouz called on Likud voters to support Yisrael Beytenu, describing it as a "genuine right-wing party." Yisrael Beytenu is a core opposition party with a hardline stance on haredi conscription, a hawkish security policy, and advocacy for settlement expansion and separation of religion and state. Illouz, who immigrated from Canada and entered the Knesset in 2023, said he led the fight against the draft exemption bill with Yisrael Beytenu MKs. Liberman welcomed Illouz, praising his courage and integrity.