The Jewish Home party released a statement thanking former leader Naftali Bennett after he announced the formation of a new party titled 'HaYemin Hachadash'.
"We thank Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked for five years of great work on behalf of the Jewish people, and we believe that they will do great things leading the right-wing camp," said the Jewish Home.
"The Jewish Home Party will be preparing for the next few days, and it is clear to all that it will present a qualitative list of worthy and talented public figures who will continue to work for the people of Israel in the 21st Knesset."
The statement came after Bennett and Shaked announced in a shock move that they would be leaving the Jewish Home to form a new party titled 'HaYemin Hachadash', which is Hebrew for the 'New Right'. The announcement brings to a close Bennett's five years of leading the Jewish Home, which began when he defeated incumbent MK Zevulun Orlev for the post of party head.
"The Jewish Home has become a very influential force in the State of Israel, but in the last year and even more so in recent months, this era of our great influence has ended," said Bennett. "Prime Minister Netanyahu understood that the wonderful Religious Zionism sits in his pocket, that no matter how often and how much he betrays them, they will stay with him [for lack of an alternative]."
Joining HaYemin Hachadash is now-former Jewish Home MK Shuli Mualem-Rafaeli.