MK who left Likud joins Lieberman's party

MK Dan Illouz, who announced his resignation from Likud and harshly criticized the coalition, is joining Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party.

The move follows the positions Illouz has presented in recent months regarding the issue of equality in the burden of service.

"I am joining Yisrael Beiteinu because it is the party that represents today the national and liberal values I believe in," Illouz said.

"In this term, I led the fight against the draft evasion law together with the MKs of Yisrael Beiteinu. Unfortunately, Likud has become a contractor for Deri and Goldknopf. Benjamin Netanyahu has failed in leading the country, and he must take responsibility and go home. I call on all Likudniks - whoever wants a true right-wing must vote for Yisrael Beiteinu.

"Avigdor Lieberman is a strong, experienced, and consistent leader who always stands by his principles, even when it involves a political price. Yisrael Beiteinu is the home of everyone who believes in Zionism, in national responsibility, and in a Jewish, Zionist, and liberal state. Whoever believes in the path of Jabotinsky and Begin - votes Yisrael Beiteinu."

Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the move:

"I welcome MK Dan Illouz on his joining Yisrael Beiteinu. Dan is a man of values who has proven throughout his public path courage, integrity, and a willingness to pay a personal price to stand by his principles, first and foremost the fight against the draft evasion law and the demand for equality in the burden of service. His joining is a significant strengthening of the Zionist, national, and liberal camp."

Resignation background

Illouz, who served in the reserves in the Military Advocate General's Corps, publicly criticized the promotion of the draft law in its current format and opposed granting a broad exemption to the Haredi public. Following his vote against coalition discipline on the "Daycare Law," the coalition decided to remove him from his membership in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee.

In a video he published with the resignation announcement, Illouz justified his move by claiming that Likud no longer represents the values of the liberal and state-oriented right. According to him, the party's conduct on the draft issue and its evasion of taking responsibility after the events of October 7 do not allow him to continue as a member of the faction.