Yoaz Hendel rules out coalition with haredi or Arab parties, says Netanyahu should leave office

Yoaz Hendel, a politician aiming to establish a broad Zionist government, has ruled out coalitions involving haredi or Arab parties. Hendel, who is allied with Chili Tropper, believes only a strong "Zionist Home - The Reservists" party can compel the formation of such a government.

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Our mission is solely to establish a Zionist government, and not Netanyahu with the haredim, so we will not complete a 61-seat majority.

"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 stated in an interview. He extended this exclusion to opposition governments reliant on Arab parties, emphasizing, "Nor with the opposition parties together with the Arab parties. We will not be the 61st seat there either."

Hendel explained his opposition to including haredi parties, arguing they hinder the passage of a conscription law. "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," he said. "As long as the haredim are part of the government, it will be impossible to pass a conscription law."

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Nor with the opposition parties together with the Arab parties. We will not be the 61st seat there either.

Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hendel expressed the view that leaders responsible for the October 7th massacre should step down. "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 stated. However, Hendel clarified that Netanyahu is not his primary focus, emphasizing the need to form a government from the 90 Knesset seats available.

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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.

Hendel reiterated his commitment to forming a Zionist government that addresses key issues such as conscription, governance, and national life. He acknowledged the difficulty of the current political landscape but expressed determination to fill what he perceives as a vacuum in the political system.

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As a matter of principle and values, we think that whoever is responsible for October 7 needs to go home, and that includes Netanyahu.