Likud Reservists Demand Yoaz Hendel Rename His Party

Shlomo Lerner, head of the Likud Reservists Forum, sent a letter to Yoaz Hendel demanding that he change the name of his political party, "The Reservists." The letter was written on behalf of forum members and other reserve soldiers in the right-wing camp.

The writers said using the word "reservists" for a party is an anti-state act and that the reserve corps should never be presented as part of a political or coalition agenda. They described IDF reserves as a national asset and "the Holy of Holies of Israeli society," adding that the uniform belongs to everyone and must not be used as a platform for election campaigning or political attacks.

Lerner wrote that the name choice harms reservists who serve without any foreign or political interest, but out of loyalty to the state and the IDF. He accused Hendel of creating a false impression that the entire reserve system supports his and his allies' coalition ambitions.

The letter also argued that Hendel's party does not represent most reservists. Lerner said that in the field they see an overwhelming majority of reservists holding right-wing views, supporting the government and the prime minister, and having no intention of letting Hendel use their name to promote coalitions that exclude the prime minister and right-wing parties. The writers said current polls, which they claim show Hendel's party failing to pass the electoral threshold, prove he does not have the broad support he is trying to project. The letter ended with the demand, "Free the reservists."