Yoaz Hendel said on Sunday that his goal is to establish a broad Zionist government without haredi or Arab parties, arguing that only a strong Zionist Home - The Reservists could force such a coalition to be formed; he told Ron Kofman and Eli Ohana on 103FM.
According to recent polls, the alliance between Chili Tropper and Hendel has yet to develop into a political force that would cross the electoral threshold. Hendel, however, argued that only a strong Zionist Home-Reservists party could compel the political system to establish a broad Zionist government.
"Our mission is solely to establish a Zionist government, and not Netanyahu with the haredim, so we will not complete a 61-seat majority," Hendel said.
He stressed that the same applied to an opposition government dependent on Arab parties. "Nor with the opposition parties together with the Arab parties. We will not be the 61st seat there either."
Hendel, Tropper to refuse to sit with Netanyahu, Arab parties
Asked who he would sit with, Hendel replied: "We will establish only a Zionist government."
"A Zionist government consists of Zionist parties, and that's the shortest answer there is," he said.
Asked why he ruled out sitting with haredi parties, Hendel said: "Haredi parties are harming our ability to win the war. We are not meeting our missions, and people are doing hundreds of days [of reserve duty] at an age when they are exempt. As long as the haredim are part of the government, it will be impossible to pass a conscription law."
Asked whether he would therefore sit in a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hendel said he believed that those responsible for the October 7 massacre should leave office.
"As a matter of principle and values, we think that whoever is responsible for October 7 needs to go home, and that includes Netanyahu," he said. "But Netanyahu is not my point of reference. There are 90 seats in the Knesset from which a government needs to be formed. I will not sit [in such a coalition], I will not complete a 61-seat majority with the haredim, and I will not sit with the Arab parties."
"I am making every possible connection that will lead to a result, to the test of results," Hendel continued.
"I want a Zionist government that passes a conscription law, deals with governance, and deals with our lives here. That is my mission. I am taking it on my shoulders," he said.
"I feel there is a vacuum in the political system. Is it difficult? Yes."
Hendel concluded by explaining why he is not seeking to advance further through the military ranks.
"The best job in the world is being a battalion commander," Hendel said proudly.
However, because he is currently running for the Knesset, he cannot serve at present.
"There is nothing better than commanding a battalion and meeting the people, being with them, fighting alongside them, leading them, so I prefer to remain as I am, a lieutenant-colonel."