The Reservists Party, led by Yoaz Hendel, announced on Wednesday the results of its primary election for the party list for the Knesset. In the June 8 primary, Hendel had already been chosen to continue leading the party. The list is made up entirely of bereaved families, war wounded, reservists, and social activists who led the campaign against draft evasion over the past two years.
Hendel said the list reflects those “who led Israel when the state disappeared” and should also lead it in politics. He said the party chose to hold primaries “contrary to the mood in the rest of the political system” in order to give expression to the decision of thousands of activists and members, whom he called partners in the party’s path over the last two years. He added that the party is heading toward “a Zionist government without Haredi and Arab parties, a conscription law and decision in the battlefield.”
Top of the list is Major (res.) Yoav Adomi, 45, deputy battalion commander in Battalion 8111, Brigade 5, who has served about 550 reserve days since October 7 and co-founded the movement that became the party. Second is Roi Frank, 37, a reserve platoon commander in the Negev Brigade who served 440 reserve days, was wounded in Gaza, and helped lead the protest against the draft exemption law in the Knesset.
Third is Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Erez Ben Ezra, 56, a command planning officer who served 400 reserve days since October 7. Fourth is Major (res.) Tehila Peretz, 39, a casualty officer who has supported wounded troops and families for about 700 days since the start of the war. Fifth is Shlomi Damri, 35, a reserve fighter who served about 500 days and whose brother Dan was killed after fleeing the Nova music festival. Sixth is Amalia Keinan, 43, head of the emergency team in Yonatan in the Golan Heights and a community and operations manager with senior management experience.
