Yoaz Hendel Urges Ofer Winter to Form Alternative Zionist Political Bloc
Yoaz Hendel called on Ofer Winter to abandon commitments to ultra-Orthodox coalitions, proposing a united Zionist bloc. Hendel criticized leadership failures, highlighted reservist burdens, and attacked Itamar Ben Gvir during a radio interview.
Yoaz Hendel, head of the reservists and economic party, called on Thursday for Ofer Winter to retract his commitment to sit in a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu alongside ultra-Orthodox parties, proposing instead a joint Zionist political bloc.
In an interview on 103fm, Hendel addressed his party's polling figures, discussed the failures leading to October 7, and sharply criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
A Call for a Zionist Bloc Without Extremes
Hendel urged Winter to drop his pledge to support a coalition dependent on ultra-Orthodox factions. He proposed signing a surplus-vote agreement and committing exclusively to a broad Zionist government that includes neither ultra-Orthodox nor Arab parties.
"Winter, retract your statement that you are only with Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties. With ultra-Orthodox parties, you cannot win on the battlefield, you cannot fulfill missions at the front. We need more soldiers," Hendel stated.
Reflections on October 7 and Reservist Burden
Reflecting on the outbreak of the war, Hendel described his early visits to southern communities and the overwhelming sensation that state institutions had failed.
"I don't need Avi Gil to know that when I walked among the bodies on October 7, 8, and 9, my feeling was that there was no state and no government, and that the reservists and citizens had taken command," he said.
Hendel highlighted his own extensive military service, noting he completed roughly 600 days of reserve duty and only stepped back to launch his political campaign. He emphasized that the immense burden shouldered by reservists remains a central platform issue alongside the soaring cost of living.
Critique of Leadership and Governance
Addressing the political landscape, Hendel stated that his faction represents a distinct middle ground, avoiding both the Netanyahu-led right-wing bloc and alternative alignments involving opposition figures and Arab parties.
He also took direct aim at Itamar Ben Gvir, accusing him of failing to maintain public order and governance, particularly in the Negev and the Galilee.
"Ben Gvir is a person who failed in his role. We have absolute chaos in the field of governance. In the Negev and the Galilee, people wake up every day to the sounds of war over their heads. There is no need to vote for him—he failed," Hendel declared.
