The expected departure of Likud lawmakers Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz to rival political parties is set to trigger a major reshuffle within the party, paving the way for commentator Erez Tadmor and Likud’s chareidi activist Shabtai Katz to enter the Knesset.

The political shake-up comes as Edelstein prepares to join the new party led by Gilad Erdan, while Illouz is set to move to Yisrael Beiteinu. Their anticipated resignations from the Knesset will create two vacancies on the Likud list, setting off a chain reaction that will bring new lawmakers into parliament.

Following Tzachi Hanegbi’s departure from the Likud and his position as head of the National Security Council, the next candidates in line for seats in the 25th Knesset are Shabtai Katz, who would replace Illouz, and journalist and political commentator Erez Tadmor, who would take Edelstein’s seat.

At the same time, Likud MK Avichai Boaron called on Edelstein and Illouz to resign within 24 hours, warning that if they refuse, he will seek to have them formally declared defectors from the party.

“Dan Illouz and Yuli Edelstein are acting in an immoral manner. A person can change his opinion, but making a political switch while trading on the votes of the public and the mandate they received from Likud voters is unacceptable, ugly, and a betrayal of the public’s trust. They must resign immediately. If they do not do so within the next 24 hours, I will work to convene the faction and advance proceedings to have them declared ‘defectors.’”

Illouz responded with a sharp jab at Boaron, saying, “Boaron is apparently in a difficult position ahead of the primaries and needs public attention at any price. As I already announced, I intend to resign from the Knesset after I finish packing up my office, tomorrow or Tuesday—and that is despite the fact that I represented the Likud’s declared values more than anyone else during this term.”

Illouz is expected to leave the Knesset before the Likud primaries scheduled for August 17, while Edelstein has not yet decided whether he will step down before or after the party vote.

The planned resignations have also raised a legal question within Likud. Both Katz and Tadmor are candidates in the upcoming primaries for the large Jerusalem-Judea and Samaria-Shfela district. Some questioned whether becoming sitting Knesset members before the primaries would disqualify them under party rules.

Legal sources within Likud have reportedly said that will not be the case. Because their service in the current Knesset would last less than six months, it would not provide the advantages or institutional benefits associated with longer-term incumbency, leaving their candidacies fully valid.

Shabtai Katz is an attorney and businessman from Lod, a Chabad chossid, and serves as chairman of Likud’s chareidi headquarters. He is considered to have a broad base of support within the party.

Erez Tadmor is a co-founder of the Im Tirtzu movement, a columnist, media personality, and longtime ally of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu. He previously served as one of Netanyahu’s speechwriters and managed several political campaigns.

If another Likud seat becomes vacant during the current Knesset, the next candidate on the party list would be Gilad Sharon, son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Sharon previously sought to run in the Likud but was blocked by Netanyahu after refusing to meet the party’s required waiting period. He is currently running independently within the party’s internal institutions.