Gilad Erdan Responds to Miri Regev's Criticism: "I Did Not Spit in the Well I Drank From"

Former minister Gilad Erdan, chairman of the Unity Party, has responded to Miri Regev, who claimed he had chosen to "spit in the well from which he drank." In a conversation with Anat Davidov and Gideon Oko on 103FM radio, Erdan harshly criticized the ruling party that had been his political home for many years.

"I will remind Miri Regev that while I was fighting against the uprooting of Gush Katif and the evacuation of settlements—which subsequently led, to our regret, to the rise of Hamas—she happily and proudly acted as the spokesperson for that plan. Let's tell the truth: a home is a place where a person lives with his family, but a party is a political ideological path. If I feel that the party I loved so much cannot promote solutions for the country's citizens, I have no choice but to say so and take the action I took."

According to Erdan, he took a massive risk for his 30-year political career. "I am trying to convince the citizens that the Unity Party is the one that will bring the solution. There is no spitting in any well here; I am pointing out the differences. These are not codes invented by Ms. Regev; they do not belong to the citizens and do not really interest them in the sea of numbers," he stated.

Erdan listened attentively to Knesset member Tali Gottlieb, who was interviewed before him. Hearing her claim that the Prime Minister's circle worked to harm her in the primaries, he remarked: "This is the first time I am learning what a huge gap exists between the Prime Minister and his circle. Perhaps it is worth recommending that he unite the ranks around him; apparently, his circle does not represent him."

"The Prime Minister certainly succeeded in minimizing damage for himself, but there is no new message in the Likud list. It was exposed on the day of the primaries—as Ms. Gottlieb herself noted—who the influential forces are today that Likud Knesset members take into account," Erdan added. "These are thousands of ultra-Orthodox who come in droves to vote, connected to Agudat Yisrael; large workers' committees that entered Likud to torpedo reforms; or Itamar Ben Gvir, who published a list of recommended candidates."

Although the new party established by Erdan and Edelstein is not yet taking off in the polls, he remains unconcerned. "We went on air ten days ago. We are now holding home meetings every evening and launching a campaign. I hope we will start seeing the desired results within a few days."

Regarding potential mergers, he said: "There is a split within the bloc called the 'Third Bloc.' I call it the Unity Bloc that will bring solutions. Between our party and the parties of Benny Gantz and Hili Tropper, there are very big differences, but I estimate that by the submission of the lists on September 7, you will see some kind of merger in this bloc."