MK Dan Illouz resigns from Knesset over draft evasion laws

Member of Knesset Dan Illouz announced his resignation from the Knesset on Tuesday, a month after departing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party. Illouz is joining MK Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu party.

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adding another vote in favor of the draft evasion laws promoted by Netanyahu, [United Torah Judaism Chair Yitzhak] Goldknopf, and [Shas Chair Arye] Deri.

In a social media post, Illouz explained his decision stemmed from a desire to prevent "adding another vote in favor of the draft evasion laws promoted by Netanyahu, [United Torah Judaism Chair Yitzhak] Goldknopf, and [Shas Chair Arye] Deri." Illouz has been a vocal critic of legislation that critics argue encourages draft evasion amid the IDF's manpower shortage.

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As long as I served in the Knesset, I acted to block this legislation, which contradicts Likud’s declared values, and to stand by the principles I believe in.

Illouz stated, "As long as I served in the Knesset, I acted to block this legislation, which contradicts Likud’s declared values, and to stand by the principles I believe in." He added, "Netanyahu has failed in leading the country, and he must take responsibility and go home."

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Principles that Likud promised to uphold, but apparently did not promise to carry out.

Shabtai Katash, a haredi member of Lod's Religious Council, is set to replace Illouz in the Knesset. The resignation occurs during the Knesset's recess, ahead of elections. Illouz's departure and endorsement of Liberman positions Yisrael Beytenu, an opposition party, as a potential alternative to Netanyahu's government.

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Netanyahu has failed and did not take responsibility. He must go home.