The Reservists Party, led by former communications minister Yoaz Hendel, announced on Tuesday that it had reached an agreement with MK Chili Tropper to run together in a political alliance ahead of the upcoming elections.
The party stated that the two would 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. Additional details will be provided later,” the party added.
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 had reportedly fallen through due to disagreements regarding forming a government with the haredi parties.
A 'broad Zionist government'
Gantz welcomed the alliance between Hendel and Tropper, saying that it was part of the initiative being led 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 Jerusalem Post last month that his party was expected to join a political alliance soon to ensure that it would be able to have enough support to pass the electoral threshold.
Gantz’s Blue and White Party has been unable to pass the threshold as well.
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 with Netanyahu when speaking to the Post.
Democrats Party leader Yair Golan has launched a sharp campaign against Gantz and other figures calling to form 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 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.
