Choosing conviction over party lines, Dan Illouz leaves Likud in bid to shape Israel’s future

ByAARON REICHOCTOBER 24, 2026 10:03

As many who have followed the news in Israel have noted, the constant squabbling between political parties is a major contributor – if not the outright cause – of many of the problems this country faces internally.

Political deadlock constantly stymies any hopes for change, and it is a common lamentation that politicians care more about themselves than the public they are meant to serve and the principles they claim to champion. Positions and policies get decided in deals to form a coalition, and it often seems like politicians prefer to do whatever they need to secure their seats for their own sake rather than for what they hoped to use that seat for.

And that is what makes someone like Dan Illouz so exceptional in Israeli politics. A longtime member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, this Montreal native-turned-Jerusalemite recently broke ranks ahead of the upcoming election, now running with Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu party.

But according to him, this was not because his beliefs or goals changed – but because those of Likud did.

The party he had pledged himself to years ago is no longer the bastion of those core values that drew him to their ranks in the first place. And this isn’t exactly new either – in 2024, even though he was in the middle of his first term in the Knesset, he publicly spoke out against Likud’s haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft concessions, and then quickly did so again even after Netanyahu reportedly scolded him for doing so. 

At the time, we at The Jerusalem Post referred to Illouz as a Likud rebel, which we considered an apt nickname. Since then, he followed his political and moral compass to a new home, a party that, to him, actually fights for those values Likud claims to stand for, such as Zionism, security, and equality in military service.

Whether or not one agrees with those values, or regardless of who they support politically, one still has to admire Illouz’s bravery in charting his own political path based on his convictions, rather than compromising them for party loyalty.

In Jerusalem spoke with Illouz during a brief lull in his busy schedule to hear a bit about his life, principles, and the issues in this election.

What brought you to Jerusalem?

I moved to Israel from Montreal in 2009 at the age of 23 out of a deep Zionist conviction. Jerusalem is the historic heart of the Jewish people, and I wanted to build my life and begin my public service right in our capital city, where I eventually served on the City Council.

What got you into politics?

It’s the exact same Zionist conviction that led me to leave a comfortable life in Montreal and join the IDF that ultimately brought me into politics. I wanted to actively shape Israel’s future, champion free-market economics, and improve the integration of olim. I realized the best way to make a practical impact was to jump into the arena.

What made you leave Likud to join Yisrael Beytenu?

I originally joined the Likud before I had even signed a lease in Israel because of the values the party stood for. However, I came to the conclusion that those who truly hold the values Likud claims to champion now need to leave the Likud and vote for Yisrael Beytenu.

The Likud leadership abandoned its core principles by pushing for haredi draft exemptions during wartime. Yisrael Beytenu is now the true political home for those who believe in a free economy, strong security, and an equal sharing of the national burden.

What do you think are the defining issues of the election this year?

The defining issue is winning the wars on the fronts that are incredibly still open after three years – Hamas is still in power, while Hezbollah and Iran are rebuilding. Directly tied to winning this war is equality in the military draft.

Drafting the haredim is an absolute security necessity to expand our forces, and it is the only way to alleviate the immense, unsustainable pain and strain on our reserve soldiers who have sacrificed so much.

What advice do you have for any English-speaking olim who dream of making change in Israel and running for office?

Understand that being an oleh (immigrant to Israel) is both a unique advantage and a disadvantage. You should strengthen your strengths – your native English, your strong local community, and your international understanding. At the same time, work hard on fixing the disadvantages, like mastering Hebrew and integrating into the broader Israeli society. Lean into what makes your perspective unique, and use it as an asset to contribute to the country.

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