MK Dan Illouz quits Knesset after switch to Yisrael Beytenu, haredi man takes Likud spot

MK Dan Illouz resigned from the Knesset on Tuesday after leaving the Likud Party to join Yisrael Beytenu. Illouz stated his resignation was to prevent "adding another vote in favor of the draft evasion laws promoted by Netanyahu, Goldknopf, and Deri," criticizing the haredi-backed legislation. He further asserted, "Netanyahu failed and did not take responsibility. He must go home." Illouz will be replaced by Shabtai Katash, a haredi member of Lod's Religious Council, who is next on the Likud list. Illouz had previously announced his departure from Likud and endorsement of Avigdor Liberman for prime minister, citing Netanyahu's leadership failures and Likud becoming a "subcontractor" for haredi party leaders.