MK Dan Illouz quits Knesset after switch to Yisrael Beytenu, haredi man takes Likud spot

MK Dan Illouz announced on Tuesday his resignation from the Knesset, after departing from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party to join MK Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu. In a post to X/Twitter, Illouz explained his departure was motivated by the Knesset's dissolution, aimed at thwarting the passage of draft evasion laws promoted by Netanyahu, United Torah Judaism Chair Yitzhak Goldknopf, and Shas Chair Arye Deri.

The haredi-backed legislation, Illouz argued, would exacerbate the IDF's manpower shortage while contradicting Likud's stated values. As long as Illouz served in the Knesset, he vowed to obstruct such policies, staying true to the principles he believed in, albeit disappointed that Likud had not lived up to its promises. Netanyahu, according to Illouz, failed to take responsibility for his shortcomings and must resign.

In his absence, Likud will be represented by Shabtai Katash, a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) member from Lod's Religious Council. This resignation, occurring during a recess in the Knesset ahead of elections, does not trigger plenum sessions for legislation unless under exceptional circumstances. Illouz had previously announced his intention to join Yisrael Beytenu and endorse Liberman for the prime minister role.

He had previously resigned from Likud last month, citing his inability to vote for a party he could no longer support. Criticizing Likud as a "subcontractor" to haredi party leaders and Goldknopf, Illouz urged all Likud voters to support Yisrael Beytenu, a core opposition party advocating for a hardline stance on haredi conscription and settlement expansion in the West Bank.