After more than two decades in the Likud Party, MK Yuli Edelstein announced that he is leaving the party and launching a new political path, while making clear that he has no intention of joining Israel’s center-left camp. Speaking in an interview on Channel 12’s Meet the Press, the former Knesset speaker sharply criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s handling of the military draft issue and called for the formation of a broad Zionist coalition that would not rely on chareidi parties.

“I’m not planning to run in the Likud primaries. The next step will most likely be an independent political framework,” Edelstein said.

Explaining his decision, Edelstein said he could no longer stand behind the direction of the Likud under its current leadership.

“If you succeed in the primaries, you then have to stand on stage and say, ‘Vote Likud.’ I don’t know how to finish that sentence anymore. What are we supposed to do? Continue enabling draft evasion? Continue avoiding votes on sovereignty? For me, the State of Israel has always come before the party.”

Edelstein also directed pointed criticism at Netanyahu over agreements with the chareidi parties regarding the draft law.

“It’s simply inexplicable. Netanyahu sees more polls than I do, and every one of them shows that most of the public—including more than a quarter of coalition voters—oppose what are called the deals with the chareidi parties. He’s the one sending soldiers into battle. He served in the military himself. He understands the situation. He certainly isn’t a chareidi learning three sedarim a day… If he were alone in a room with me, he would say, ‘You know what, Yuli? Between us, you were right about the draft law.’”

Asked about possible political alliances, Edelstein declined to commit to working with figures such as Naftali Bennett or Avigdor Lieberman but stressed that his ideological identity remains firmly on the right.

“I’m a right-wing person. I always have been, and I remain one. I don’t think what’s called the ‘change bloc’ is relevant for me. Those people are certainly my friends, and I speak with them. I very much hope we’ll come together. There is a large ציבור that is hungry for this message, looking for a framework that represents a responsible right—a right that will pass a draft law, enact judicial reform, and properly care for the north and the south.”

Edelstein said his objective is to create a political force strong enough to shape the next coalition and ensure it is not dependent on what he described as non-Zionist factions.

“What I will demand from any framework that I join is a clear commitment to a broad Zionist government that does not depend on non-Zionist parties. We can force such a coalition into existence and deal with the real agenda. Who serves as prime minister is the last thing that interests me. I’m willing to be number ten on the list.”

Shortly after the interview aired, following the conclusion of Shabbos, Edelstein expanded on his decision in a lengthy post on X.

“I’ll begin with the bottom line: I have decided not to run in the Likud primaries for the next Knesset and to embark on a new political path. With a heavy but complete heart, I will leave the Likud movement, which has been my home for more than 20 years, at the end of the current Knesset session.

“After October 7, it became clear to me that what was could not continue. I fought with all my strength for real and equal military service, and I succeeded in preventing a draft exemption law for generations. My goal was simple: to expand military service and create historic change.

“Throughout my career I have proven that I’m not attached to any position. I was removed as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee because I blocked a draft exemption law, and I was removed from the committee itself because I voted in favor of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. I’m proud of that.

“As a Prisoner of Zion in a Soviet prison, I learned that values are worth fighting for and worth paying a price for. When I fought against the disengagement from Gush Katif, they called me a traitor and a rebel. It didn’t bother me. History has already judged who was right. Today, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and responsible citizens who carry the burden stand behind me and long for change.

“I’m leaving the Likud faction, but not the members of Likud, many of whom see reality the same way I do. Soon we will set out together on a new path. Without boycotts, without surrendering to extremists, without relying on Arab parties, and without giving the chareidim a blank check. A broad government that reflects the 80 percent who agree on 80 percent of the issues.

“My principles have always been, and remain, clear: a genuine, responsible, and statesmanlike right. In favor of settlement throughout the Land of Israel, an iron-wall approach to security, a free-market economy, judicial reform, and strengthening the Jewish identity of the state.”