In a dramatic Likud convention, Gideon Sa’ar makes a high-profile return to the party after five years, sealing a merger with United Right and pledging unity against global pressure for a Palestinian state.
TEL AVIV — In a night charged with political drama and symbolism, the Likud Central Committee on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the historic merger agreement between the ruling Likud party and the United Right faction, led by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
The event, held at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds, marked Sa’ar’s first appearance at a Likud convention in five years since his dramatic departure from the party. Wearing a kippah, he opened his remarks with the traditional “Shehecheyanu” blessing, thanking G-d “for granting us life, sustaining us, and helping us to reach this day.”
“How good it is to come home,” Sa’ar declared, framing his political comeback against the backdrop of the October 7th attacks—which he described as an attempt to “destroy the Jewish people in its land.” He accused the opposition of trying to exploit the national crisis for political gain, praising his colleagues for strengthening the government in Israel’s darkest hour.
Sa’ar revealed that his return was months in the making, beginning with wartime strategy talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Lebanon, Iran, and dismantling the Iranian axis. Netanyahu had already floated the idea of a merger before their first coalition agreement. “I told the Prime Minister I believe him… and then we moved to the second stage—uniting the forces of the national camp,” Sa’ar said.
Positioning the merger as critical for Israel’s survival, Sa’ar warned of an “international attempt to impose a Palestinian state in the heart of the Land of Israel” and questioned who, other than the national camp led by Netanyahu, could resist such pressure. “We have fought our whole lives for the Land of Israel. These are decisive moments,” he stressed, acknowledging the personal and political cost of his decision but insisting he had no alternative.
Sa’ar concluded with a rallying cry for unity: “Just as we strengthened the state and the government in decisive moments, so, G-d willing, we will strengthen the national camp as a first step toward the next elections.”
The evening wasn’t without confrontation. MK Tally Gotliv took the stage before Sa’ar, sharply opposing the merger and questioning his loyalty. She accused him of previously branding Netanyahu “dangerous for Israel” and contributing to five consecutive election cycles, as well as backing the appointment of Attorney General Baharav-Miara. “He doesn’t deserve a reserved place in the party,” she said—remarks that were met with boos and jeers from the crowd.
Despite the dissent, the merger’s approval cements Sa’ar’s return to Likud’s inner circle and signals a strategic consolidation of Israel’s right-wing bloc ahead of looming electoral and geopolitical battles.
