Yoaz Hendel Rules Out Joining Netanyahu-Led Government, Criticizes Yair Golan

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists' Party, outlined his political red lines ahead of the upcoming elections in a heated interview on Monday morning with Sharon Gal on Galei Yisrael radio. Hendel strongly opposed forming a narrow 61-seat government with Benjamin Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties, calling it a disaster that would leave Israel stuck. When asked if he was completely boycotting Netanyahu, Hendel clarified that while he does not support Netanyahu, whom he holds responsible for the October 7 attacks, he is not ruling out future cooperation under a broader coalition. "If tomorrow there is a broad Zionist government with 70 or 80 seats, I will be part of that government," he said.

Hendel also sharply criticized Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, particularly over Golan's controversial past remarks about Gaza and his desire to close the pre-military academy B'ali. Hendel emphasized that his main disagreement with Golan centers on the issue of settlements, stating, "I have very clear principles, and those principles will decide." When pressed about Golan's explicit statements supporting the evacuation of West Bank settlements, Hendel firmly declared, "I can tell you clearly: I will not sit in a government that evacuates settlements and establishes a Palestinian state."