Yoaz Hendel Returns From Reserves to Launch New Political Party with Hili Tropper

Yoaz Hendel, who served 564 days in military reserves since October 7, has recently left active duty to co-found a new political party with longtime friend Hili Tropper. Their goal is to surpass the electoral threshold in a crowded field of parties challenging Israel's two main political blocs. Hendel, interviewed by Daphna Liel, emphasized his commitment to forming a Zionist government and criticized existing political leadership for failing to address critical national issues.

Hendel recounted his intense military experiences, including the trauma of losing close comrades, which deepened his resolve to influence Israel’s political future. He expressed frustration with current political figures like Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gadi Eizenkot, accusing them of prioritizing power over principles and being willing to rely on non-Zionist parties. Hendel insists his party represents right-wing voters disillusioned with both the "only not Bibi" camp and the current government.

Rejecting alliances with established parties, Hendel stressed that his priority is not personal power but ensuring a government that enforces universal military service and counters what he calls the "business as usual" approach of the political elite. He criticized Benjamin Netanyahu as responsible for the October 7 attacks and declared Netanyahu must leave office, though he did not rule out supporting the candidate who secures the most Zionist mandates.

Hendel also addressed past political collaborations, clarifying he never joined Netanyahu’s party and highlighting his ideological consistency, including refusing to join a government with the Joint List. He acknowledged mistakes in previous coalition decisions but vowed not to repeat them. Hendel described his partnership with Tropper as a shared vision to bring a new generation of leaders from the battlefield to politics.

Looking ahead, Hendel plans to attract partners from various right-wing factions but openly criticized figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for their stance on military service and their impact on the IDF. Despite offers to join larger parties, Hendel remains focused on his independent path, driven by a sense of responsibility to save Israel from what he sees as political and existential decline.