Running for the premiership
On 26 May 2026, he said he saw himself as a prime-ministerial candidate in the post-Netanyahu era. Globes reported on 5 September 2026 that his party had decided not to contest the coming election.
Who they are
Erdan was born in Ashkelon on 30 September 1970. He served in the Adjutant Corps and read law at Bar-Ilan University, then advised Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu. He entered the Knesset in 2003, served as public security minister and represented Israel at the UN from 2020 to 2024. He became Magen David Adom’s global president in 2024.
Positions and record
Service: At the August 2026 party launch, proposed a Basic Law requiring military or national service from every citizen, with service-linked benefits and incentives withheld from those who decline to serve.
Government: Calls for a broad Zionist unity government that is not controlled by sectoral parties. In August 2026, refused to join any narrow government even at the cost of another election.
Netanyahu: In August 2026, rejected a personal veto on Netanyahu without endorsing him. Made support conditional on broad Zionist unity and immediate passage of a service law.
Boycotts: In March 2017, supported barring boycott activists from entering Israel, while saying ordinary criticism of Israel should not trigger an entry ban.
United Nations: Demanded Security Council condemnation of Hamas’s 7 October attack. He wore a yellow star at the Council on 30 October 2023 to press that demand.
Where they stand
Holds the party line on every issue.