Chili Tropper Joins Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! Party Ahead of Elections
Chili Tropper has officially joined Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! party, securing the sixth spot on the list. Meanwhile, Yoaz Hendel has partnered with economist Yaron Zelecha for a joint run.
The Israeli political landscape continues to shift ahead of the upcoming elections. Just hours after the details of the offer made by Yashar! party leader Gadi Eisenkot to Chili Tropper were revealed, an agreement has been officially finalized. Tropper, the chairman of the Beit Zioni party, will integrate into the Yashar! list.
Under the terms of the agreement, Chili Tropper will be placed in the sixth position on the electoral list, while Shira Shapira, who joins him, will take the tenth spot. The joint list will also include Elasaf Peretz and Shlomi Yehiav, confirming Peretz's inclusion after initial uncertainty. This merger is not a technical bloc, meaning Tropper will not be able to split the faction after the elections.
Portfolio Priority and Political Realignment
Although Chili Tropper was not placed in the top four slots, the agreement guarantees him a significant advantage. Should Yashar! join the next government, Tropper will have the first choice of a ministerial portfolio among the party's members.
Meanwhile, Yoaz Hendel, who co-led the "Beit Zioni-Reservists" movement alongside Tropper and had previously announced he would not join Eisenkot, has agreed on a joint electoral run with economist Professor Yaron Zelecha.
In a joint statement, the parties declared:
"This connection was made with the goal of establishing a Zionist and statesmanlike government that will work to strengthen cohesion in Israeli society, connect all parts of the nation, support those who serve, and restore public trust."
Statements from Eisenkot and Tropper
Gadi Eisenkot welcomed the agreement, stating:
"Chili is a principled and statesmanlike leader, a man of action and service, who shares our belief in responsibility, national unity, and a deep commitment to the State of Israel. The addition of Tropper and his team strengthens the high-quality, values-driven team we are building as a serving, Zionist alternative to the government of October 7th."
Chili Tropper expressed his commitment to the new alliance:
"These are decisive days that require us to make responsible decisions and look out for the best interest of Israel. Beit Zioni will join the straight path led by Gadi Eisenkot. Now is the time to reconnect Israel from within. Right behind you, Gadi!"
The Battle for Leadership in the Change Bloc
Prior to the agreement, a major political battle over Chili Tropper took place within the "change bloc" between Biyachad leader Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot. This was not merely a fight for electoral strength, but a struggle over who would lead the consolidation of the bloc.
Despite current polling gaps, neither Bennett's Biyachad party nor Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman automatically accept Eisenkot's leadership of the opposition camp.
