Reservists Party holds primaries ahead of elections, bereaved families among candidates

The Reservists Party, headed by former communications minister Yoaz Hendel, conducted internal primaries on Tuesday to finalize its candidate list for the upcoming elections. The party aims to represent a new political force, drawing candidates from various backgrounds including IDF reservists, wounded veterans, and notably, bereaved family members who lost loved ones in conflicts.

A total of 28 candidates vied for spots on the party's slate through a digital voting process. Among them is Sandra Alon, a bereaved mother whose son was killed in the Israel-Hamas War. Alon stated her involvement transcends politics, viewing it as a mission to support other families who have suffered similar losses. Shlomi Damari, whose brother was murdered on October 7, is also among the candidates.

The party positions itself as a response to a perceived leadership vacuum after the October 7 attacks, advocating strongly for universal conscription. A core principle is the refusal to join any government that includes parties whose members do not serve in the IDF. This stance has led to campaigns against ultra-Orthodox and Arab parties, arguing for barring those who do not serve from running for Knesset.

Despite its platform, the Reservists Party has struggled to gain traction in opinion polls. Hendel has publicly discussed the possibility of merging with another party before the elections, indicating ongoing strategic considerations.

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This was not about politics for me. I was looking for a platform to help, to help people like me, to help reservists, to help wounded soldiers.