Former Likud Members Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein Launch New Right Wing Party

Former Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan and MK Yuli Edelstein have launched a new, currently unnamed right wing party ahead of the October 27 elections. The party is led by Erdan and consists of defectors from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party. A central pillar of the new party is the demand for universal IDF conscription, specifically targeting the end of military service exemptions for ultra Orthodox Jews. Erdan proposed a Basic Law requiring all Israeli citizens to perform either military or national service to address severe manpower shortages in the military.

Regarding future coalitions, Erdan stated the party would not join a narrow government and expressed openness to partnering with opposition figures such as Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett. However, he established a red line against sitting with Yair Golan of the Democrats party. While some reports indicate the party pledges not to join any government with ultra Orthodox representatives, Erdan told the Jerusalem Post that the party is not against anyone provided their principles align with the goal of sharing the burden of service.

On security and ideology, Erdan affirmed his support for settlements and his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. He called for a proactive security policy and opposed unilateral withdrawals. One report noted that the party also seeks a national probe into the failures leading to the October 7 attack.

A Channel 13 poll suggests the new party might not enter Parliament but could weaken Likud's seat count. In one scenario, Likud could drop to 20 seats, potentially leaving Netanyahu behind challenger Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar party could take 23 seats.