A new political alliance was formed on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming election between the Reservists party, led by former communications minister Yoaz Hendel, and former Blue and White MK Hili Tropper.
The Reservists party stated that Hendel and Tropper reached an agreement to run together to lead toward the formation of “a broad Zionist government.”
“The move marks the first step toward creating a significant new Zionist political force,” the party said.
Tropper announced in May that he would leave the Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, and would hold consultations with political figures to determine his next steps in developing a new framework ahead of the elections.
The alliance also comes after a merger between Hendel and Gantz reportedly fell through due to disagreements over forming a government with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties.
Hendel’s spokesperson told The Jerusalem Post that the party would not align itself with either the opposition bloc or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc, saying that it was not committed to any political camp.
The party will be jointly led by Tropper and Hendel as equal partners, the spokesperson added.
'The best team Israel has to offer'
Other members joining the party were Shira Shapira, mother of Aner Shapira, who was murdered during the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023, and reservist Elyasaf Peretz, who is also the son of Israel Prize winner Miriam Peretz.
Hendel said that Shapira and Peretz were “two of the finest people I know, who experienced the war in the most personal and painful way imaginable.”
“Together with the members of the Reservists Party, we have assembled the best team Israel has to offer.”
The group held a joint press conference Tuesday evening, during which Hendel explained that the decision to form the party was driven by the events of the October 7 Hamas attacks.
“We are here tonight because on October 7, the sky fell. Those who saved the country were the civilians and reservists who took responsibility,” he said.
Hendel noted that Tropper was his friend and that they shared the same value system of “comradeship.”
Hendel added that when he was in reserves, “the Knesset had become disconnected from the country and Chili was the light in the darkness.”
Tropper said the new alliance represented a “Zionist home” for Israelis seeking to work together to improve the country.
Gantz welcomed the alliance between Hendel and Tropper, saying that it was part of the initiative to establish the “Israel bloc.”
The Blue and White leader reiterated his ongoing call to form a “broad Zionist government,” saying that in the upcoming elections “only a broad Zionist government will be formed, a government that does not rely on the Arab parties or the ultra-Orthodox parties.”
On its own, the Reservists party has been failing for months to pass the required electoral threshold in polls.
Hendel had told the Post last month that his party was expected to join a political alliance soon, to ensure that it would have enough support to pass the electoral threshold.
Gantz’s Blue and White Party has also failed to pass the threshold.
Gantz has indicated that he would be willing to join a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, distancing himself from the opposition bloc.
The Reservists' leader also did not rule out joining a government led by Netanyahu when speaking to the Post.
Democrats Party leader Yair Golan has launched a sharp campaign against Gantz and other figures calling for the formation of a broad zionist government, warning that such a scenario would support Netanyahu and could result in “saving him” in the elections.
Netanyahu separately stated last week that he intends to establish a “broad national government,” leading to sharp criticism from the opposition bloc.
Opposition leader Lapid accused Netanyahu’s call for such a government as part of the premier’s efforts to establish “satellite parties that will attempt to take votes from our bloc.”
Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot’s party has become the leading party in the opposition bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu in recent polls.
Eisenkot congratulates 'friend' Tropper
Eisenkot immediately welcomed Tropper’s new alliance, stating that he congratulated “his friend Chili Tropper.”
Tropper’s departure from Gantz in May marked another blow to the Blue and White leader after a series of departures by lawmakers who are now members of the Yashar party.
Eisenkot had once been Gantz’s second-in-command before leaving the party, too.
Eisenkot added that Tropper “is a unifying and experienced leader who deserves to play a central role in the process of rebuilding that Israel needs, and to be an important voice in the Zionist statesmanlike government that we will establish – one that will unite the people and return Israel to the right path.”
Until now, the Reservists party has presented itself as a response to the leadership vacuum following the October 7 massacre, and it advocates for universal conscription.
Among its central principles is a refusal to join any government that includes parties whose members do not serve in the IDF.
The Reservists have launched campaigns against the haredi and Arab parties ahead of the elections, calling to bar those who do not serve in the IDF from voting and from running for Knesset.
General elections are set to take place no later than October 27.