Hendel and Zelicha Announce Joint Knesset Run After Tropper's Departure

Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelicha have announced they will run together in the upcoming elections, following the departure of Minister of Communications Yoaz Hendel from the Derech Eretz party. Hendel, who previously served as a minister in the current government, stated that he and Zelicha, a former accountant general, would form a joint list. The announcement comes after Hendel's party colleague, Minister of Science and Technology Orit Farkash-Hacohen, also announced her departure from the party and her intention to join the National Unity party led by Benny Gantz.

Hendel's move to join forces with Zelicha, an economist and former candidate for the Knesset, signals a new political alignment. Zelicha had previously announced his intention to run independently, but the partnership with Hendel suggests a strategic consolidation of forces ahead of the elections. The exact nature of their joint list and its political positioning are yet to be fully detailed, but it is expected to focus on economic and social issues.