Hendel to 'Post': Reservists Party could decide Israel's next government - interview

Yoaz Hendel, leader of the Reservists/Economic Party, told The Jerusalem Post that his party could decide Israel's next government despite not being the largest. He said the party will only join a coalition of Zionist parties and is not ruling any out based on whether they include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rejecting an 'anyone but Bibi' approach. Hendel also stated he would not sit with haredi parties, which could affect coalition dynamics.

Yoaz Hendel, leader of the Reservists/Economic Party, told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that his party could decide Israel's next government even if it is not the largest. In an interview, Hendel said the party will only join a coalition of Zionist parties and is not ruling any out based on whether they include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'I'm not in the 'anyone but Bibi' camp,' he said, though he added he believes Netanyahu bears responsibility for October 7. Hendel distinguished between opposing Netanyahu's leadership and being willing to join a government that includes him. He said he would not sit with haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) parties, which could exclude a partnership with Likud if Netanyahu insists on bringing them into the coalition. 'Without the Reservists/Economic Party, there is a zero percent chance that either bloc will form a government,' Hendel claimed. He described his constituency as spanning voters on the right who support settlement but oppose draft evasion, and voters in the center and left who reject cooperation with Arab parties that have not recognized Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hendel also backed Yaron Zelekha's economic agenda and linked his coalition conditions to conscription and cost-of-living issues. The framing relies on Hendel's own assertions without independent verification.