Gilad Erdan Prepares for Political Comeback and New Party Launch
After a two-week delay, former minister Gilad Erdan is expected to announce his return to politics and the formation of a new party for the 26th Knesset elections. He has begun talks with potential candidates and issued a sharp critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After about two weeks of delays, former minister Gilad Erdan is expected to announce in the coming days the establishment of a party and his return to political life by running in the elections for the 26th Knesset. Erdan's office has reached out to several outlets to coordinate a location for the announcement, and at the same time, he published today (Sunday) a frontal response to remarks delivered on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In recent weeks, Erdan has conducted negotiations with a series of political figures, but according to a number of sources, those with whom he is in advanced contact are MK Yuli Edelstein, former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch, and Colonel (res.) Hezi Nechama. Serious dialogue also took place with Olympic medalist Oren Smadja. All names are not yet finalized.
Similar to other "third bloc" parties, Erdan will attempt to argue that he will promote the forcing of a unity government, while not completing a narrow government for either side. After it was conveyed on behalf of Netanyahu today in a closed discussion that he is making a U-turn regarding the exemption law for ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, Erdan wrote on the X network:
"We are no longer buying promises about 'enlistment', we are no longer buying promises about 'unity'. We will not sit in a narrow government, of anyone."
In this response, Erdan effectively revealed his message, according to which he is courting the votes of those disappointed with the coalition who want a unity government due to the partnership with the ultra-Orthodox. However, Erdan will have to deal with the claim that he is a "proxy" for Netanyahu, since he is ultimately from the Likud party, and the people he wants on his list are identified with the right and the national camp. That is, Erdan will have to contend with the position that if he passes the electoral threshold, he will complete a government for Netanyahu with a majority of 61 mandates.
Either way, it is unclear whether there is additional room in the "third bloc" — given the fact that MK Benny Gantz insists on running in the upcoming elections, alongside the announcement of the candidacy of Yoaz Hendel and Chili Tropper as part of the "Zionist Home - The Reservists" party, which in some polls passes the electoral threshold.
