Reservist Party Leader Warns of Coalition Shift
Yoaz Hendel argues that the Change bloc is abandoning military service pledges to secure a governing majority.
By Fernando Rojas ·
Ordinary reservists in Davidson County and across the region are hearing a new warning about the direction of Israeli politics. Yoaz Hendel, chair of the Reservists-Economic party, told 103FM radio on Sunday that the coalition opposing Benjamin Netanyahu may be ready to drop its strict stance on the ultra-Orthodox military draft. This move would alter the balance of power in the Knesset and change how conscription laws are debated.
Hendel’s party failed to reach the electoral threshold required to enter parliament. Despite this, he used his radio appearance to criticize the parties that pledged to support military service. He stated that these groups are now abandoning their core principles to form a government. Hendel said he will continue his campaign from outside the Knesset.
The dispute followed remarks by Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman on Friday. Liberman said his party was willing to be flexible and compromise on the haredi draft law. This flexibility is a condition for joining a coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Yashar party. Hendel argued that such a compromise validates the criticism that all political parties are the same.
During the broadcast with hosts Avishai Grinzaig and Barak Seri, Hendel recalled their earlier doubts. He noted that he warned them the opposition would sacrifice the draft law if they needed 61 votes to form a majority. He quoted their previous reassurance that such a shift was unlikely. Hendel said he did not expect the bloc to abandon the worldview he championed for three years just hours after the election results.
Hendel described a deepening social fragmentation in Israel. He pointed to the Negev and the Galilee as areas lacking unified governance. He contrasted the Arab sector singing the patriotic song Biladi, Biladi with the ultra-Orthodox communities singing about the rule of the heretics. He warned that if the country does not act now, it risks breaking apart into autonomous enclaves.
Hendel took personal responsibility for his party’s failure to cross the threshold. He said 155,000 people voted for him, a number sufficient to give his voice a platform even without parliamentary seats. He rejected the idea of simply saying he told you so. He framed his mission as fighting from the outside to ensure the state does not end up with a non-Zionist majority.
The next step involves the Change bloc finalizing its coalition partners. Liberman’s conditions regarding the draft law are currently being negotiated with Eisenkot’s camp. The outcome will determine whether the new government maintains its pre-election promises or adopts the compromise Hendel fears will weaken the state’s cohesion.
