Yoaz Hendel Urges Ofer Vinter to Form Bloc Against Non-Zionist Governments

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists and Economy Party, made a dramatic appeal to Ofer Vinter on Thursday, urging him to abandon his commitment to support a government led by Netanyahu and the Haredi parties. Hendel called on Vinter to join him in establishing a "blocking bloc" against what he termed "non-Zionist governments."

Speaking to the press, Hendel referenced the three-year anniversary of the October 7th atrocities, stating that the subsequent war has profoundly changed everyone and that politics should not continue as if nothing has happened. He criticized the current political landscape, warning against reliance on parties he deems non-Zionist. Hendel argued that Israelis are being forced to choose between a government dependent on Haredi parties, which he claims encourage draft evasion and undermine national security, or one allied with Arab parties that do not recognize Hamas as a terror organization.

Hendel directly addressed Vinter, proposing a strategic alliance. "Vinter, retract your statement that you are only with Netanyahu and the Haredi parties," Hendel implored. "With Haredi parties, we cannot win on the battlefield, we cannot fulfill frontline missions. We need more soldiers. With Goldknopf, with whom you declared you would sit, there is no chance for universal conscription." Hendel asserted that reservists are natural partners for Vinter, not the Haredi parties.

Concluding his remarks, Hendel called for practical steps ahead of the elections, suggesting a surplus agreement and a joint declaration to enter only a Zionist government. "Together we will be a blocking bloc against non-Zionist governments and coalitions with Haredi or Arab parties. Step out of the paradigm and help us decide on the battlefield," he urged.