New Right Wing Party in the Works for 2026 Elections

Senior figures on Israel’s political right are holding talks on forming a new party that could serve as an alternative to Likud ahead of the next elections, according to a report by N12 News.

The initiative, informally dubbed “Likud B,” is being led by right-wing politicians, many of whom have had strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The goal is to create a more “statesmanlike” right-wing framework capable of forming a broad coalition without relying on more extreme factions.

Among those reportedly involved in early discussions are Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, former finance minister Moshe Kahlon, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, and former UN ambassador Gilad Erdan. The group is said to have reached initial understandings on the party’s general direction and principles.

According to the report, the proposed party would not commit in advance to either of Israel’s major political blocs. It would not automatically align with Netanyahu’s camp, nor with a potential bloc led by figures such as Naftali Bennett or Gadi Eisenkot.

A central unresolved issue remains leadership. Some participants reportedly favor Bennett or Eisenkot as a potential candidate for prime minister, while others still support Netanyahu. The lack of clarity on this point could complicate efforts to define the party’s identity for voters.

Erdan is seen as a key figure in the process, though sources say he is still weighing whether to join the initiative or remain within Likud and potentially pursue its leadership in the future.

The talks come amid shifting polling trends, including surveys indicating that Likud is no longer clearly the largest party, with Bennett’s political faction closing the gap.