Knesset Member Hili Troper Discusses Future Coalition, Palestinian State

Knesset Member Hili Troper, a close associate of Benny Gantz, has outlined his political positions on key issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the draft law, and potential coalition partners for a future government. Speaking at recent voter gatherings, Troper stated that he does not foresee a near-term solution to the conflict and believes promising miracles is more dangerous than acknowledging difficult realities. He emphasized his party's opposition to a Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, citing the 2005 Gaza disengagement and the October 7th events as lessons against creating security vacuums.

Troper also addressed the contentious issue of the draft law, calling the exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military or civil service a "value and practical wound" that undermines societal solidarity. He criticized the disparity between reservists serving hundreds of days and those evading service, advocating for a "service for all" principle, which could include civil service options for the ultra-Orthodox. He stressed that while compensation for soldiers could vary, the principle of service itself is non-negotiable.

Regarding accountability for the October 7th attacks, Troper called for a state commission of inquiry and suggested that any senior political or security official, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held a top position that day should take responsibility and step down. Despite these criticisms, Troper did not rule out the possibility of including parties from the current coalition in a future government, provided they adhere to his party's core principles.

He also spoke about the dangers of internal division, recounting intelligence from the war cabinet indicating that adversaries like Yahya Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah, and Iran closely monitored Israel's internal strife before October 7th, perceiving it as a sign of societal collapse and an opportunity. Troper identified maintaining societal cohesion and shared responsibility as central to his political work, distinguishing between the "Israel from above" (political leadership that failed on October 7th) and the "Israel from below" (citizens and soldiers who demonstrated courage and responsibility).