There were enough people in Likud to replace Benjamin Netanyahu, but internal disagreements prevented it
Knesset member Dan Illouz, who left Likud for Yisrael Beiteinu, stated that a significant portion of the Likud faction sought to replace Prime Minister Netanyahu after October 7, but failed to agree on a successor.
Following his move from Likud to Yisrael Beiteinu, Knesset member Dan Illouz discussed attempts to change the national leadership following the events of October 7 in an interview with 103FM radio.
According to Illouz, a significant portion of the Likud faction believed that replacing the Prime Minister was the right step for the country, but the plan failed due to internal disputes.
"I think at least a third of the Likud faction knew that the right thing for the State of Israel was for the leadership to change, and not through elections because we were in the middle of an intense war. There were attempts, and the only reason it didn't succeed is not because there weren't enough people, but because they argued over who should be first," Illouz revealed.
The MK noted that the government's survival throughout the term was one of Benjamin Netanyahu's primary political achievements. Illouz emphasized that, from his perspective, responsibility for the October 7 tragedy requires the resignation of the Prime Minister.
"A healthy country needs to have incentives. If you are good, then you will continue; if you are Prime Minister during the most terrible disaster since the Holocaust that happened to the Jewish people, then you need to be replaced. If not, our incentive system is flawed, and there is no incentive for politicians to do good."
Illouz added that the political system's inability to change leadership under such extreme circumstances indicates a deep crisis. Regarding his decision to join Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, the MK highlighted their successful cooperation on issues such as the law to close UNRWA and the decision regarding sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
"I was one of the people who thought that after the greatest disaster the State of Israel has experienced since the Holocaust, the leadership should take responsibility and change. If there is a junction where I can make that happen, then I will be part of that," Illouz concluded.
