Unity (Israel)
Unity האחדות | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Gilad Erdan |
| Founder | |
| Founded | 6 August 2026 |
| Split from | Likud |
| Knesset | 0 / 120 |
Unity is a right-wing political party in Israel which was founded in August 2026 by Yuli Edelstein and Gilad Erdan, ahead of the 2026 Israeli legislative election.
Background and founding
[edit source]Yuli Edelstein, who served as the chair of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, was removed from the position in July 2025 after he refused to support a bill which would have allowed many Ultra-Orthodox to be exempt from the draft.[1]
Edelstein and Gilad Erdan were in talks in late May 2026 regarding the potential formation of a new party.[2]
He and Erdan launched a new party on 6 August 2026 in Tel Aviv.[3] Erdan stated that the party would form a "broad Zionist government" and would be in favor of a broad draft that included all people.[4] Erdan will lead the party.[5]
Former Beit Shemesh mayor Aliza Bloch joined the party on 10 August.[6] The name of the party, Unity, was unveiled the following day.[7] Oren Smadja joined the party on 12 August.[8]
Election results
[edit source]| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
References
[edit source]- ↑ Sokol, Sam (23 July 2025). "Ousting Edelstein, Likud elects Bismuth to head key panel, advance Haredi draft exemption law". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Karmel, Ariela; Sokol, Sam (27 May 2026). "Veteran Likud members Erdan, Edelstein said to make progress toward forming new party". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ "Erdan and Edelstein unveil still-unnamed party: 'Likud no longer represents its voters'". The Times of Israel. 6 August 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Baruch, Hezki (6 August 2026). "Gilad Erdan announces new party, promises new law for blanket conscription". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Neev, Keshet; Halpern, Sam (6 August 2026). "'Right, enlistment, unity': Ex-UN ambassador Gilad Erdan launches new party with Edelstein". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Baruch, Hezki (10 August 2026). "Former Beit Shemesh mayor joins Erdan-Edelstein party". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Azulay, Moran (11 August 2026). "Erdan and Edelstein's party name: 'Unity'". Ynet. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Azulay, Moran (12 August 2026). "Olympic medalist Oren Smadja joins Gilad Erdan: 'Unity is more important than any political dispute'". Ynet. Retrieved 12 August 2026.