On primary day: interview with the MK who left Likud. Why?
On the day of the Likud primaries, MK Dan Illouz, who left the party on July 15 in protest against the deal with the ultra-Orthodox and joined Yisrael Beiteinu on August 5, explains his departure as a betrayal of values. He criticizes Likud for abandoning the free economy and universal conscription, and for evading responsibility for the events of October 7. Illouz rejects accusations of opportunism and says principles matter more to him than power.
On the day of the Likud primaries, August 17, 2026, the publication runs an interview with MK Dan Illouz, who left Likud on July 15 in protest against the party's deal with the ultra-Orthodox, and joined the Yisrael Beiteinu party on August 5. Illouz, a religious Jew and immigrant from Canada, explains his departure as a betrayal of values: according to him, Likud no longer adheres to the free economy, universal conscription, and the integrity of the country, but rather panders to pressure groups. He criticizes Netanyahu for refusing to take responsibility for the events of October 7, removing the word 'massacre' from the law, and obstructing the establishment of a state commission of inquiry. Illouz rejects accusations that he left because of poor chances in the primaries, and states that principles are more important to him than power. Likud coalition chairman Ofir Katz responded: 'Goodbye, populist who forgot who brought you to the Knesset. You were never a Likudnik.'