The chairman of the Unity Party, Gilad Erdan, announced on Friday that the party he founded will not run in the upcoming elections. He said the decision was made after it became clear that the party’s level of support does not give it a high likelihood of crossing the electoral threshold, while efforts to form additional political alliances also failed to materialize.
“Throughout my life, I have served the people of Israel and the State of Israel. Out of this sense of mission, I founded the Unity Party several weeks ago because I believe Israel needs a broad Zionist government that can pass a genuine conscription law and resolve disputes," Erdan said.
He said the decision to establish the party was also driven by the reality that emerged following the October 7 attack. “I believed that the terrible massacre of October 7 and the terrible price paid by Israeli citizens obligate us to change course."
Erdan explained that after about a month of campaigning, he concluded that the public’s priorities were different. “Unfortunately, after about a month of campaigning, reality shows that in the upcoming elections, a large majority of the public is seeking, above all, a clear decision on the question of who will serve as prime minister. The need for a broad unity government is not high on the citizens’ list of priorities."
Erdan then addressed the party’s electoral standing and efforts to form political alliances.
“Despite the many efforts we have made, the support so far for the Unity Party I founded does not provide a high likelihood of crossing the electoral threshold, and efforts to form alliances with additional parties in the unity bloc are also not materializing," he said.
“Therefore, I have decided that the Unity Party will not run in the upcoming elections," Erdan announced.
Erdan stressed that, in his view, withdrawing from the race was an act of responsibility toward the party’s supporters.
“Leadership also means recognizing reality as it is and acting responsibly. I believe we must ensure that the votes of our supporters influence the election results and do not go to waste," he said.
The Unity chairman thanked the party’s activists and his partners in its leadership.
“I thank everyone who believed in the path of unity, volunteered, supported and helped, and especially my colleagues in the party leadership - Yuli Edelstein, Aliza Bloch, Oren Smadja and Hazi Nechama - for their partnership, their work and their belief in the cause. It was an honor to lead this wonderful group, people of the highest caliber who believe in the idea of unity and its importance and will continue to fight for it wherever they may be."
Erdan concluded by making clear that his decision does not mark the end of his public career.
“Today I am withdrawing the candidacy of the Unity Party, but not my public commitment or my path as a public servant. I will continue to work in every way I can for the people, for IDF soldiers and for a better future in Israel."