Yoaz Hendel Criticizes Gilad Erdan for Forming Party Below Electoral Threshold

Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists' Party, sharply criticized Gilad Erdan, leader of the Unity Party, during a closed-door meeting. Hendel acknowledged Erdan as a respectable figure but condemned his decision to establish a party that is unlikely to pass the electoral threshold, especially given Hendel's own party's stable standing. He challenged Erdan to explain his choice rather than questioning others.

Hendel contrasted his party and that of Hili Tropper with Erdan's, asserting that neither would support a coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties to reach a 61-seat majority. He emphasized his party's commitment to conducting a state commission of inquiry and firmly rejected any attempts to compromise on this issue. Hendel also criticized politicians who have long discussed ultra-Orthodox issues without effecting change.

According to Hendel, polling data indicates that his "Zionist Home" party will surpass the electoral threshold. Meanwhile, Hili Tropper, Hendel's ally, recently declared he would not join a government led by Netanyahu, later clarifying he would not serve in a government including non-Zionist parties that do not serve in the military.

In response, Erdan accused Tropper of inadvertently supporting Yair Golan by his vote and reiterated that the Unity Party would not join a narrow government but aims to form a broad unity government bridging both political blocs. Erdan positioned his party as the sole option for genuine unity, right-wing values, and military conscription reform.