Who they are
Edelstein was born in Chernivtsi on 5 August 1958. He taught Hebrew in Moscow before Soviet authorities sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment on fabricated drug charges in 1984. He moved to Israel after his release in 1987, studied at the Mandel Institute and entered the Knesset with Yisrael BaAliyah in 1996. He was Knesset speaker from 2013 to 2020 and health minister from 2020 to 2021.
Positions and record
Service: In July 2025, demanded binding enlistment targets and personal and institutional sanctions. In January 2026, said he had offered a law without sanctions if barriers to willing yeshiva students serving were removed.
Government: In August 2026, pledged that neither he nor Erdan would provide the deciding vote for a narrow government, whoever led it.
Judea & Samaria: Supports extending Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank. Voted for sovereignty legislation on 22 October 2025 despite Likud’s instruction to stay away.
Defence budget: In December 2025, supported increased defence spending alongside parliamentary scrutiny of what the army and Defence Ministry request and where the money goes.
October 7 inquiry: Calls for a state commission of inquiry. In December 2025, said he would release the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee’s confidential protocols only to such a commission.
Where they stand
Breaks with the party line on 2 issues, marked below.