Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel Announce Joint Run in Upcoming Elections

Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel are expected to announce a joint electoral run this evening, following reports last week that the two were nearing an agreement. Potential candidates joining their list include Shira Shapira, mother of Enar Shapira, and Elisaf Peretz, son of Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz, who has served hundreds of reserve duty days since the war began.

Hendel, formerly of the Reservists Party, had been negotiating with Benny Gantz and Dedi Simchi until recently, but talks collapsed reportedly due to Hendel's demand for a public declaration that they would not partner with ultra-Orthodox parties, which Gantz and Simchi refused. Political sources noted that Hendel’s move to Tropper, who left Gantz’s Blue and White party amid falling poll numbers, was not surprising.

There is speculation that Tropper and Hendel might eventually merge with Gadi Eizenkot’s Yashar! party. Tropper left Blue and White in May after a long alliance with Gantz and has expressed concern about wasting votes in the bloc. As the election date approaches, smaller parties are expected to consolidate to avoid vote splitting, with key players like Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eizenkot signaling readiness to step aside or secure seats to strengthen their bloc.

On the right-wing side, Benjamin Netanyahu is also expected to take similar steps after concluding the Likud primaries and finalizing the party list in August. The political landscape remains fluid, with many small parties still uncertain about their final electoral strategies.