Former ministers Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel announced on Wednesday that they would demand the National Security Ministry portfolio in the next government for Hendel, as they unveiled the platform of their newly launched The Zionist Home-The Reservists party.
Speaking at the party’s campaign launch attended by bereaved families, reservists, and party supporters, Tropper and Hendel also announced that another condition for joining a coalition would be the establishment of “a Zionist government,” alongside the passage of a draft law requiring haredim (ultra-Orthodox) to serve in the IDF, as well as universal conscription.
Hendel previously led The Reservists party, which he founded, before it merged with Tropper’s political framework. The two have agreed to head the new alliance in a joint leadership.
Tropper, Hendel not committed to specific political camp
Tropper and Hendel have called for a “broad Zionist government” and said the party would not align with either the opposition bloc or with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc, stating that it was not committed to any political camp.
“We are going to offer a few plans in different areas. I can tell you that one of them is about going back to Zionism [and] encouraging aliyah to Israel,” Hendel told The Jerusalem Post at the campaign launch.
“The government failed in recruiting all Israelis,” Hendel added, stating that reservists were the ones “paying the price.”
The Zionist Home-The Reservists said that Hendel was suited to be national security minister due to his security background and “proven record as a government minister with significant achievements.” Hendel had previously served as communications minister.
Tropper said that “after years of making grand promises but with bloodshed in the streets and rising violence, it is time for someone who comes to work, not to pose for pictures.”
“It is time to care about personal security, not TikTok likes. Yoaz is the right person for the job,” Tropper said, without directly referring to current National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Hendel told the Post last month that the alliance would not rule out joining a government led by Netanyahu but would prioritize advancing its core principles over political considerations.
The Zionist Home-The Reservists presented at the event what it called the Star of David Plan, outlining policy proposals in the areas of education, universal conscription, cost of living, settlement, “checks and balances” between government branches, and the rehabilitation and revival of communities along the country’s border.
Under the party’s education plan, public funding would only be provided to schools that teach core curriculum studies.
Party pledges to incentivize service, sanction draft evaders
The party also pledged to provide benefits for those who serve and sanctions for draft evaders.
Regarding the economy, the party said it would work to reduce the cost of living by “encouraging competition, dismantling monopolies, and reducing market concentration,” while providing targeted assistance to working parents and reservists.
Regarding settlements, it said it would invest in areas throughout the West Bank and expand legal settlement.
The Zionist Home-The Reservists also pledged to promote the creation of a “Zionist constitution,” arguing that it would strengthen “checks and balances between the branches of government.” It further committed to advancing legislation limiting the prime minister’s term in office.
The party said it would work toward the rehabilitation and revival of communities along Israel’s northern border that were evacuated during the war. It pledged that within 90 days of forming a government, it would approve a plan for the return of northern residents, and expand rehabilitation programs and mental health services in affected areas.