MK who left Likud for Liberman: 'Netanyahu failed in leading the state, must go home'

MK Dan Illouz, who left Likud over opposition to the draft exemption law, announced his joining Yisrael Beiteinu led by Liberman. In a statement he harshly attacked Netanyahu: 'He failed in leading the state, must go home.' Illouz is expected to resign from the Knesset in the coming days.

MK Dan Illouz, who recently left the Likud party over his opposition to the draft exemption law, announced last night (Wednesday) his joining the Yisrael Beiteinu party led by Liberman. Today he published a statement in which he harshly attacked Netanyahu and Likud: 'Netanyahu failed in leading the state, and he must go home, and better sooner than later.' In a post on his X account, Illouz noted that he is expected to resign from the Knesset in the coming days, after handling logistical matters. He explained his decision as stemming from cooperation with Yisrael Beiteinu in opposing the draft evasion law: 'Likud under Netanyahu's leadership has become the execution contractor for Deri and Goldknopf.' Illouz detailed Netanyahu's failures: 'Instead of Zionism – he surrendered to draft dodgers; instead of decision – he brought us back to the concept of rounds; instead of a free market – he promoted a sectoral economy; instead of applying sovereignty – empty declarations; instead of taking responsibility for the largest massacre since the Holocaust – he avoids establishing a state commission of inquiry.' He concluded: 'Those who want to continue the path of Begin and Jabotinsky cannot vote for today's Likud.' Illouz explained his joining Liberman, whom he described as 'a principled and consistent right-winger who opposed the disengagement, opposed the release of Sinwar, and warned of the danger of October 7th.' He called to strengthen Yisrael Beiteinu in order to establish 'a national Zionist government without Haredi and Arab parties.'