Rebel MK Defects to Liberman — Likud WhatsApp Reacts

MK Dan Illouz, who left Likud three weeks ago, joins Yisrael Beiteinu ahead of the October 27 elections. In his statement, he attacked Likud, calling it "Deri and Goldknopf's contractor" and urged Netanyahu to "go home." Likud removed him from its WhatsApp group, and faction chair Ofir Katz wrote: "Goodbye to the populist who forgot who got him into the Knesset."

MK Dan Illouz, who left Likud three weeks ago, is joining the Yisrael Beiteinu party ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27. In his statement, Illouz said he is joining a party "that today represents the national and liberal values I believe in," and attacked Likud: "Likud has become Deri and Goldknopf's contractor. Netanyahu has failed in leading the country, and he must take responsibility and go home." He called on Likudniks: "Whoever wants a true right should vote for Yisrael Beiteinu." Likud removed him from the party's WhatsApp group, and faction chair Ofir Katz wrote: "Goodbye to the populist who forgot who got him into the Knesset. There was never a Likud." Illouz, a lawyer who immigrated from Canada, was elected to the Knesset in 2022 and is considered a critical voice in the faction. He voted against the draft exemption law, the Haredi conscription basic law, the exemption from arrest for draft dodgers law, and the daycare law. Liberman welcomed his joining, calling him "a man of values."