Yoaz Hendel Criticizes Gilad Erdan for Launching Party Below Electoral Threshold

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists' Union, sharply criticized Gilad Erdan, leader of the Unity Party, during a private meeting. Hendel acknowledged Erdan as a respectable figure but accused him of establishing a party that fails to approach the electoral threshold, especially after observing Hendel's own party's stability. "We should be asking him why, not us," Hendel stated.

Hendel contrasted his party, formed with Hili Tropper, with Erdan's, asserting that unlike Erdan's, theirs would never support a coalition giving Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties 61 seats. He emphasized their commitment to holding a state inquiry, which he said they would not compromise on, expressing confusion over Erdan's position on the matter.

In leaked recordings, Hendel dismissed politicians who have spent decades discussing ultra-Orthodox influence without effect, calling them ineffective. He also claimed that according to polls in his possession, the "Zionist Home" party would surpass the electoral threshold. However, a recent Kan News poll showed that both the Reservists' Union and the Unity Party, led by Erdan and Yuli Edelstein, fall short of the threshold, as do Blue and White under Benny Gantz and Balad under Sami Abu Shehadeh.

Additional political developments include a new power map within Likud, highlighting rising figures and those likely to miss the Knesset, as well as an anticipated alliance announcement between Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad.