With four months left until the election, Israel’s political defection season is intensifying, and two coalition lawmakers are reportedly considering a move. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, MK Moshe Solomon of Religious Zionism and MK Dan Illouz of Likud are in talks with Yoaz Hendel’s "Reservists" party, which is trying to build a slate around its pro-service message.
Illouz denied the report, saying there were no negotiations for him to join. Solomon said only that he was not discussing such talks in the press. Both lawmakers have stood out inside their parties for sharply criticizing the coalition’s recent push on military draft legislation and the Torah study Basic Law.
Illouz has repeatedly said he would oppose the draft law even under faction discipline. In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth about a month ago, he attacked Likud’s alliance with the ultra-Orthodox and said, "The partnership with the ultra-Orthodox leadership is an existential danger to the State of Israel." Solomon, meanwhile, voted against the Torah study Basic Law of Shas about two weeks ago, defying faction discipline and drawing a harsh reprimand from his party. Religious Zionism chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich then removed him from Knesset committee memberships.
A senior Religious Zionism figure said the move was also tied to reports that Solomon was negotiating with the Reservists party, adding, "He was basking in the fact that other parties wanted him and were negotiating with him, so he allowed himself to behave like that and vote against the faction’s decisions." The official added, "He will no longer be an MK on behalf of Religious Zionism. That was reason enough to remove him."
Hendel confirmed on Wednesday night in a conversation with activists that he intends to recruit both lawmakers. Citing a Channel 13 poll showing his party passing the electoral threshold, he said he wants to strengthen support among right-wing voters and soldiers. "I will bring both of them to us," he said. Hendel also argued that these lawmakers reject the idea that a right-wing coalition should back draft evasion, accusing the current government of surrendering to ultra-Orthodox parties and diverting funds during wartime. The next step, if the talks advance, would be formal political announcements by the lawmakers.
