Likud to hold secret ballot to select replacement for Edelstein on Knesset defense panel

By Ariela Karmel

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22 July 2025, 2:55 pm

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Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Likud's Yuli Edelstein leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 21, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Likud will hold a secret ballot tomorrow to select a new chair for the powerful Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, amid growing pressure to replace MK Yuli Edelstein over his refusal to advance a bill enshrining sweeping military service exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox.

The decision to conduct the vote in secret came after a request submitted by MKs supporting Boaz Bismuth, and was backed by at least 10 percent of the faction — the threshold required under Likud rules, according to a report by the Kan public broadcaster.

Signatories include Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli and MKs Boaz Bismuth, Moshe Saada, and Osher Shekalim.

According to the report, Edelstein, who is running for the position again, proposed the move.

He believes that a secret ballot will be to his benefit, allowing MKs to vote based on their conscience rather than on party politics.

The winner of the internal vote will still require approval by the Knesset House Committee and the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee itself.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been under growing pressure from within Likud to oust Edelstein after the two Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, last week bolted the government, blaming the lawmaker for his attempts to advance a version of the bill that would guarantee large draft quotas and sanctions for evaders.

Other candidates for the post include Nissim Vaturi, Eli Dalal, and Hanoch Milwidsky, the latter of whom is supported by the prime minister and considered to be the frontrunner, despite opposition from many Likud MKs who say he is unqualified for the role.