Edelstein Formally Rules Out Likud Primary Run

Yuli Edelstein formally wrote on X on Saturday evening that he will not run in the next Likud primary and will leave the movement at the end of the current Knesset session after more than 20 years. He tied the decision to the post-October 7 need for real Haredi enlistment, saying he fought to block a draft-evasion law and wants a broad, responsible right-wing path that does not rely on Arab parties or give Haredi parties a blank check. The split sharpens the election fight over IDF manpower, Torah-study respect and coalition discipline.