Hendel Admits Election Setback, Blames Arab Parties for Gridlock
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
Yoaz Hendel, co-leader of a reservists and economic party, admitted his party likely failed to pass the electoral threshold, potentially leading to new elections. He criticized Arab parties for political gridlock and their stance on Hamas. Hendel hoped that soldiers' votes might change the outcome, and stated his party aimed to appeal to right-wing voters concerned about conscription and economic issues.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yoaz Hendel's party likely failed to pass the electoral threshold, potentially triggering new elections.
- Hendel criticized Arab parties, stating their 17 mandates create political gridlock and are bad for Israel.
- He expressed hope that soldiers' votes in double envelopes could alter the exit poll results.
- Hendel argued his party attracted right-wing voters who oppose Netanyahu and draft evasion.
- The party's union with Yaron Zelekha aimed to gain power by addressing conscription and economic concerns.
Yoaz Hendel, co-leader of the reservists and economic party, acknowledged that his party was unlikely to pass the electoral threshold based on initial exit poll results. The party's hopes for election success faded even before the official projections were released on television.
Hendel, without his partner Yaron Zelekha present, addressed the few activists gathered, stating that the expected results would likely lead to another round of elections. "I would have preferred to see a different result in the exit polls," he admitted, expressing hope that double envelopes, primarily containing soldiers' votes, might alter the outcome.
He sharply criticized Arab parties, stating, "It is not good for the State of Israel to have 17 mandates for anti-Zionist Arab parties that refuse to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. The blocs are stuck. It's bad. We are fighting for the country and we need to ensure we can get out of this mud." Some activists expressed confusion and disappointment, with one questioning how the party, which had cleared the threshold in 18 previous polls, failed to do so now.
Hendel also addressed claims that his party's run had cost votes from the Netanyahu bloc. He argued that most of their voters were right-wing but did not necessarily support Netanyahu or draft evasion, and that their votes came from those who did not want to continue with anti-Zionist parties. "I cannot stand to see people like me giving up on the country. We need a party that knows how to get out of jams," he stated.
Zelekha arrived later, with Hendel commenting that their political union was intended to gain greater power, appealing to voters concerned about both conscription and economic issues. Hendel concluded by saying, "I say, we will wait until Friday when all the votes are counted."
