Former Ministers Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel Announce Joint Political Run

Former Israeli ministers Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel agreed on Tuesday morning to run together and form a unified political force. According to an official statement from Tropper's office, the initiative aims to "lead to the establishment of a broad Zionist government" and represents the "first step toward creating a significant new Zionist political power." Further details are expected to be revealed during a joint press conference scheduled for Tuesday evening at Beit Tzioni America.

Reports indicate that the emerging list will include notable figures such as Shira Shapira, mother of Enar Shapira, and Elisaf Peretz, son of Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz, who lost two brothers in military service. Peretz himself has served hundreds of reserve days since the war began.

This alliance between Hendel and Tropper follows the collapse of parallel negotiations led by "The Reservists" chairman Hendel with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and Dedi Simchi. A key sticking point was the future coalition partnership with ultra-Orthodox parties. Hendel firmly opposed joining any government with the ultra-Orthodox, while Gantz and Simchi took a more flexible stance, not ruling out cooperation but opposing reliance on Shas and United Torah Judaism.

Currently, both Hendel's Reservists party and Gantz's Blue and White are polling below the electoral threshold. A Kan News poll scenario combining Gantz, Hendel, and Simchi yielded only seven seats, insufficient to decisively influence either political bloc. Gantz and Simchi delayed announcing their own union pending Hendel's decision, but with Hendel now joining Tropper, the political landscape is shifting.

Former IDF Chief of Staff and "Yesh" party leader Gadi Eizenkot publicly endorsed the move, praising Tropper as a unifying and experienced leader essential for Israel's recovery and for forming a Zionist-national government to unite the nation and restore the country's proper path. Eizenkot emphasized, "Israel must win - and it will win."