Zionist Home – The Reservists
Zionist Home – The Reservists בית ציוני - המילואימניקים | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Hili Tropper Yoaz Hendel |
| Founder | |
| Founded | 7 July 2026 |
| Ideology |
|
| Political position | Centre[2] to centre-right[3] |
| Members | |
| Website | |
| baitzioni-hamiluimnikim | |
Zionist Home – The Reservists (Hebrew: בית ציוני - המילואימניקים, romanized: Bayit Tzioni - HaMiluimnikim), formerly known as Yesodot Yisrael (Hebrew: יסודות ישראל, lit. 'Foundations of Israel'), is an Israeli political alliance founded on 7 July 2026 by Hili Tropper, a former Minister of Culture and Sport, and Yoaz Hendel, a former Minister of Communications and leader of The Reservists party. The alliance is led jointly by the two founders, with Tropper heading the electoral list, and is set to contest the 2026 Israeli legislative election, scheduled for 27 October 2026.
The alliance has been described as centre to centre-right and presents itself as representing Israelis who serve in the military, particularly reservists. Its stated goal is the formation of a "broad Zionist government" that excludes both Haredi and Arab parties.
Polling near the electoral threshold, the alliance is viewed as a potential kingmaker if it successfully enters the Knesset.
Background
Hendel, a former aide to Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF reserve battalion commander, founded The Reservists party in September 2025, seeking to represent the interests of reserve soldiers and opposing exemptions from military service for the Haredi community.[4] The party consistently polled below the electoral threshold.[5]
Tropper, a member of the Knesset for the National Unity party and later Blue and White, announced in May 2026 that he was leaving Blue and White, led by Benny Gantz, and would hold consultations toward establishing a new political framework ahead of the elections.[6]
There were reports of meetings in June between Gantz and Hendel to negotiate a possible alliance.[7] Later in the month, despite indications that Gantz, Hendel and Dedi Simchi were going to announce an alliance, negotiations between the parties continued, with Hendel seeking to preserve its status as a potential kingmaker, while Haredi conscription proved to be a source of disagreement between the potential partners.[8] The following week, the negotiations with Gantz had collapsed, with Hendel and Tropper in talks to run together.[9]
History
The alliance launched in early July 2026 under the name Foundations of Israel.[1] The alliance rebranded as Zionist Home – The Reservists later that month.[10]
Platform
The alliance has been described as centrist and centre-right. Hendel at its launch stated it would not partner with Haredi or Arab parties.[2] Hendel said in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth several days later that he wouldn't give Netanyahu a small majority, instead wanting a broad unity government with all Zionist parties.[11]
The alliance has been described as focusing on "liberal religious Zionists", reservists and voters on the right who were "disillusioned" with the Netanyahu government.[12]
Military service
The alliance supports legislation requiring Haredi conscription and opposes efforts to codify a Haredi exemption from military service. The two leaders have differed over sanctions on draft evaders: Hendel called for denying voting rights to those who do not serve, a position Tropper rejected as infringing on a basic democratic right; the two agreed to set the proposal aside.[2][1]
Composition
The alliance announced that Hili Tropper will lead the list with Hendel in the second slot; they will select the remainder of the list in alternating order.[1]
Electoral list
| # | Name | Positions | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Hili Tropper | Former Minister of Culture and Sport (2020-2022) | [1] |
| 2 |  |
Yoaz Hendel | Former Minister of Communications (2020—2022) | [1] |
| = | Shira Shapira | Architect and urban planner and mother of Aner Shapira | [13] | |
| = | Elyasaf Peretz | Educator, reservist and social activist | [13] | |
Opinion polls
An Israel Hayom poll published on 9 July 2026 projected the alliance crossing the electoral threshold for the first time, with four seats.[14] If the party manages to enter the Knesset, it is viewed as potentially holding the balance of power.[15]
Election results
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Karmel, Ariela (8 July 2026). "Yoaz Hendel's Reservists teams up with ex-minister Chili Tropper ahead of election". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 Lischinsky, Hanan (9 July 2026). "New centrist party: The Reservists, ex-minister & family members of war heroes join forces aiming at unity gov't". allisraelnews. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ "Poll shows Eisenkot and Netanyahu neck and neck as public's preferred PM". The Times of Israel. 28 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Sokol, Sam (18 September 2025). "Yoaz Hendel forms new 'Reservists' party". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Chili Tropper, Reservists Party's Yoaz Hendel announce joint campaign for upcoming Knesset election". The Jerusalem Post. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ Karmel, Ariela (3 May 2026). "Blue and White MK Chili Tropper quits party, raising speculation about his future… and Gantz's". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Karni, Yuval (7 June 2026). "Gantz accused of pivoting toward Netanyahu as he seeks lifeline with right-wing allies". Ynet. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
- ↑ Karmel, Ariela (25 June 2026). "Potential Gantz-Hendel-Simhi alliance faces hurdles despite merger reports". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Karmel, Ariela (5 July 2026). "Hendel said not expected to run with Gantz and Simhi amid Haredi coalition dispute". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Neev, Keshet (23 July 2026). "Hendel: Tropper alliance won't rule out Netanyahu, will prioritize Zionist principles - interview". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Yoaz Hendel: I will not hand Netanyahu a 61-seat majority". Israel National News. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ Azulay, Moran; Karni, Yuval; Ettinger, Amir (6 August 2026). "The small-party showdown that could decide Israel's next government". Ynet. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- 1 2 Baruch, Hezki (7 July 2026). "Tropper, Hendel announce joint run for Knesset". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "איזנקוט מתחזק, בנט בשפל - והאם הנדל-טרופר עוברים? סקר "היום"". Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). 9 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Klein, Zvika (28 July 2026). "Two neighbors, four seats, and the one that decides Israel's next government - analysis". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2 August 2026.