Hendel: We'll Back Any Zionist Leader Who Wins Most Seats

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the newly formed Reservists and Economics Party, which merged with Professor Yaron Zelekha's party ahead of the elections, stated that voting for large parties will lead to further elections, warning that "the State of Israel is galloping towards that." Speaking at the "People of the State" conference hosted by ynet and Yediot Ahronot, Hendel emphasized his identity as a reservist and presented his party as a home for reservists, estimating their polling numbers at five to six seats, with a positive trend. He predicted his party would secure seven to eight seats.

Hendel described his party's ballot designation, 'די' (Enough), as a reflection of public frustration with the high cost of living and excessive reserve duty. He asserted that his party offers the only chance to break the deadlock of previous elections and form a "Zionist government." Hendel dismissed the notion that voting for his party is a "wasted vote," arguing that it is instead a vote for large parties that perpetuate political stagnation.

When asked about the possibility of his party supporting Gadi Eisenkot's Yisrael Beiteinu party to form a government, Hendel laid out his condition: "Whoever brings the most Zionist mandates, we will recommend." He explicitly stated he would not join a coalition of 61 seats with the Haredi parties or one that relies on Arab parties, declaring, "We will not sit in Netanyahu's 61 with Haredim, nor in 61 with Arab parties." Hendel considers Haredi parties non-Zionist, citing their opposition to national defense and military conscription.

Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hendel believes he should resign due to his responsibility for the October 7th events. However, he added that he would join a joint government led by Netanyahu or Eisenkot, possibly including Naftali Bennett, provided it has sufficient Zionist mandates. Hendel clarified he is not part of the "change bloc" whose primary goal is "only not Bibi," and he would not sit with Haredi or Arab parties, which he believes would lead to the disintegration of Israel through "Arab autonomies lacking governance and law and order" and "Haredi shtetls" that reject secular authority.

Hendel expressed confidence in his partnership with Zelekha, stating they agreed on their respective focuses: Hendel on conscription for all, and Zelekha on reducing the cost of living. Despite current polls suggesting the party may not pass the electoral threshold, Hendel recently urged Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, to abandon his commitment to forming a government with Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, proposing a joint political move and an excess vote agreement to create a "blocking bloc against non-Zionist governments."