MK Yuli Edelstein declared his exit from Likud during a press conference held on Friday.

"That is a very difficult sentence to say," he remarked.

"There are also those friends who at this moment are hearing what I am saying in surprise and saying, 'What is Yuli doing?! We supported him for decades, we would have supported him this time too, why is he doing this?'"

Notably, Edelstein is expected to vote against legislation being advanced by the coalition as part of the haredi parties' deal with Netanyahu.

Afterward, he is expected to set out on a new political path, apparently alongside figures such as Gilad Erdan, Ayelet Shaked, and others, should they run as expected.

Yuli Edelstein set to form new political party with familiar names

Among the other names being considered for the party are attorney Shvut Raanan, who left Yoaz Hendel's "Reservists," and Davidi Ben Zion, deputy head of the Samaria Regional Council.

A source familiar with the details said this new party's official launch is expected to take place after Tisha B'Av, in about three weeks.

The rift between Edelstein and Likud has reportedly deepened in recent months over the haredi enlistment bill.

As chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Edelstein refused to advance an enlistment bill that would not include significant enlistment targets as well as personal and institutional sanctions. That position put him in direct confrontation with the haredi parties and the Prime Minister's Office.

The political crisis surrounding the bill ultimately led to his removal as committee chairman after most of the Likud faction voted to replace him.

Edelstein's departure is among the most significant by a senior Likud figure in recent years.

It also signals an effort to establish a new political party for statesmanlike right-wing figures who no longer see their future in the current Likud.