In a post to X/Twitter announcing the resignation, Ilouz said he resigned after the dissolution of the Knesset 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 the contentious haredi-backed legislation advanced by Netanyahu’s coalition, which critics argued would encourage draft evasion amid the IDF’s severe manpower shortage.
“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 wrote. “Principles that Likud promised to uphold, but apparently did not promise to carry out.”
“Netanyahu failed and did not take responsibility. He must go home.”
Illouz will be replaced in the Knesset by the next person on Likud’s list, Shabtai Katash, a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) member of Lod’s Religious Council.
The resignation comes while the Knesset is in recess ahead of elections and does not convene for plenum sessions to pass legislation unless under special circumstances.
He left Likud last month, saying he could not remain a member of a party he could no longer bring himself to vote for.
“Netanyahu has failed in leading the country, and he must take responsibility and go home,” Illouz stated at the time.
Sharply criticizing the Likud, Illouz said the party had become “a subcontractor” for haredi party leaders (Shas) and Goldknopf.
“I call on all Likud voters: Anyone who wants a genuine right-wing party should vote for Yisrael Beytenu,” Illouz said.
Yisrael Beytenu is a core party in the opposition bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. It holds a hardline stance regarding haredi conscription to the IDF.
The party also holds a hawkish security stance and advocates for expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank. It strongly advocates for a separation of religion and state.
Keshet Neev contributed to this report.
