Likud Expels Yuli Edelstein and Gilad Erdan, Demands Return of Knesset Seat
The Likud party has officially expelled Yuli Edelstein and Gilad Erdan. Likud Director-General David Sharan revoked their memberships and demanded that Edelstein resign his Knesset seat.
Official Severance of Ties
The ruling Likud party has officially and permanently severed ties with two of its former senior members. Following their announcements of resignation to pursue new political paths, Yuli Edelstein and Gilad Erdan were immediately removed from the party ranks on the day of their declarations.
On Sunday evening, Likud Director-General David Sharan dispatched official letters to both politicians, informing them of the revocation of their party membership and all associated rights, alongside a direct demand for Edelstein to resign from his seat in the Knesset.
Revocation of Rights and Demand for Mandate Return
In the official letter delivered to Edelstein, Sharan noted that the move is based on Article 21(f) of the Likud constitution and decisions made by authorized party bodies. According to the notice, Edelstein's membership was terminated retroactively as of July 3, 2026—the date he publicly announced his intention to leave the party and embark on an independent path.
The party leadership emphasized that the revocation of membership is not merely symbolic, but immediately cancels all of his political rights:
-
Ban on participating in the activities of the movement's institutions;
-
Ban on voting in primaries and internal elections;
-
Ban on running for positions on behalf of the party in the future.
Sharan noted in the letter that Edelstein retains the right to appeal the decision:
"You are entitled to file a petition against this decision in accordance with Article 21a.(a) of the movement's constitution within the designated timeframe."
The most significant part of the letter addressed Edelstein's status as an active Member of the Knesset representing the party list. The Director-General demanded that he return the mandate:
"It is proper that you resign from your position as a Member of the Knesset, thereby allowing the next candidate on the list to continue the realization of the mandate given to the Likud list in the Knesset elections."
Concurrently, Gilad Erdan also received an official notice terminating his membership in the movement as of his resignation date, sealing the party's split with both figures.
Political Pressure Lacking Legal Enforcement
Likud's decision to take a hard line against two of its veteran figures illustrates its determination to prevent the leakage of authority and influence to those who choose to challenge the party from the outside. However, a fundamental difference remains between the status of the two: while Erdan does not currently hold a parliamentary seat, Edelstein is an active Member of the Knesset.
From a legal standpoint, the termination of party membership does not trigger automatic expulsion from the Knesset. Sharan's letter represents political pressure rather than a legally binding enforcement mechanism. As of now, Edelstein remains in his Knesset seat, while Likud seeks to apply public pressure to force him to vacate his position in favor of the next candidate on the party's electoral list.
