Hendel Concedes Election Loss, Says 'At Least We Tried'
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Yoaz Hendel's "Reservists and Economic" party appears to have failed to pass Israel's electoral threshold in the 2026 elections, according to exit polls. Hendel told supporters he was "at peace with what happened" and that "at least we tried." Final results are expected over the weekend after all votes are counted. The party's headquarters in Modi'in saw a small gathering of activists and journalists.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yoaz Hendel's party failed to pass the electoral threshold in the 2026 elections, according to exit polls.
- Hendel stated he was "at peace with what happened" and "at least we tried."
- The "Reservists and Economic" party is co-led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha.
- Final election results will be announced over the weekend.
- The party's election headquarters was sparsely attended on election night.
Yoaz Hendel, a leader of the "Reservists and Economic" party, expressed acceptance of the election results, stating "I am at peace with what happened, at least we tried." According to exit polls, the party, co-led by Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, failed to pass the electoral threshold. Hendel addressed activists, acknowledging that final results are not yet determined and will be announced over the weekend after counting soldiers' votes and double envelopes.
The party's election headquarters in a Modi'in industrial zone office building was sparsely populated, with dozens of people, mostly journalists, awaiting the outcome. Despite earlier discussions of high voter turnout, the results suggest it did not benefit the party. The electoral threshold, which the party hovered around in recent polls, appeared further out of reach, as more valid votes require a larger number of voters to enter the Knesset.
The party's campaign focused on reservists and economic issues, but exit poll data indicates they will not secure representation in the upcoming Knesset.
