Hendel Rules Out Enabling Netanyahu Government, Cites Conditions
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Politician Yoaz Hendel declared on Radio 103FM that he would not help Benjamin Netanyahu achieve a Knesset majority, but would join a government if Bennett and Eisenkot were also involved. Hendel criticized Netanyahu, holding him responsible for the October 7th events, and urged people not to vote for him. He warned that failing to elect his party could lead to more elections, and that his party is the only path to a Zionist government without Haredi or Arab parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yoaz Hendel will not help Benjamin Netanyahu reach a 61-seat majority, he stated.
- Hendel would join a government if Bennett and Eisenkot were also part of it.
- Hendel holds Netanyahu responsible for the October 7th events.
- Hendel warned that not electing his party could lead to more elections.
- His party is the only chance for a Zionist government without Haredi or Arab parties.
Yoaz Hendel stated on Radio 103FM that he would not help Benjamin Netanyahu secure a 61-seat majority in the Knesset, but he did outline a scenario in which he would join a government led by Netanyahu. Hendel, who is critical of Netanyahu and holds him responsible for the October 7th events, urged listeners not to vote for him. However, he clarified that his commitment is to a "Zionist government" and that he would not facilitate Netanyahu reaching 61 seats under any circumstances. He did, however, suggest that if former Prime Minister Bennett and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot were to form a government with Netanyahu, he would participate.
Hendel also addressed speculation about potential legislation by the "change bloc" after the upcoming elections, dismissing the idea of an "accused law" as a "spin." He emphasized that any other legislation would need to align with his principles. He presented a stark choice: "It's either us or further elections, plain and simple." Hendel warned that failure to achieve his party's goals could lead to "more elections, full stop," asserting that his party is the "only chance for a Zionist government" while others "dream of magic."
He criticized the notion of wasting a vote by casting it for a large party that might lead to more elections, stating that Israel cannot afford additional election rounds. Hendel argued that voting for either of the main blocs would stall the country and reiterated that his party is the sole option for forming a Zionist government without the involvement of Haredi or Arab parties. He also expressed indignation at calls for his supporters to refrain from voting for his party, noting that his voters come from both the current coalition and the opposition, and questioned who had the right to dictate their choices.
