In last-minute party shuffle, right-wing merger dismantles as Eisenkot fills out slate

Centrist former ministers Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel announced Sunday that they are splitting and will not run together for the Knesset on the centrist-right merger slate Zionist Home, as the deadline for submitting party lists approaches, prompting struggling candidates to either join forces with other parties or drop out of the race. Tropper is expected to join Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. In the afternoon, Hendel announced that he would run alongside former Accountant General Yaron Zelekha, who heads the Economy Party, which has so far failed to pass the threshold over several elections. In a joint statement in Tel Aviv, the two said they had agreed on basic principles, including that they would join only a Zionist government and would demand that a universal military draft law be passed before a government is formed. "Anyone who wants a government with the Haredi parties has someone to vote for in the coalition," Hendel said. "Anyone who has no problem with a minority government here that relies on Arab parties has someone to vote for in the opposition. We must provide an alternative for those who want a Zionist government to be formed here." Close Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, in Tel Aviv, Sunday. Credit: Moti Milrod Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, in Tel Aviv, Sunday. Credit: Moti Milrod The move comes as all political blocs are seeking to consolidate their votes to ensure as many of their bloc's parties meet the 3.25 percent electoral threshold. Related Articles Israel's key election deadline – and how it could decide Netanyahu's fate Michael Hauser Tov Bennett-Lapid Together party sinks in polls, Eisenkot might be their last chance Jonathan Lis Infighting threatens Israel's anti-Netanyahu bloc amid merger talks Yossi Verter In a Channel 13 News poll published Wednesday , the party failed to pass the threshold. The merger list was announced in July, with the intention of helping establish "a broad Zionist government." Tropper and Hendel were recently in talks with Eisenkot to possibly merge, but during the talks, Hendel sought to join Yashar as an independent faction within the party. Eisenkot, however, was not enthusiastic about Hendel joining the slate, particularly as an independent faction. If he joins the party, Tropper agreed with Eisenkot that he would get first choice of a ministerial post from among the portfolios the party would receive if it wins the election. Shira Shapira, mother of Aner Shapira, who was murdered on October 7 in the " shelter of death " at Kibbutz Re'im, will leave the merger party and join Eisenkot's party along with Tropper. A joint statement issued by Tropper and Hendel said that "In recent weeks, we jointly established Zionist Home-Reservists, with a clear goal: forming a Zionist government, and striving for it to be as broad as possible. To our delight, the party gained an important and significant position, and many joined it. However, in light of the complex political reality, each of us made a personal decision." They further wrote: "Both of us are committed to continuing to serve the state and work for those who serve and for internal cohesion, each from their own place. What is important is the ideological partnership that remains intact, the belief that we will continue to cooperate in the public sphere, and of course, the friendship, where even those who search very hard will not find any bad blood." Also on Sunday, Eisenkot announced that social entrepreneur Adi Altschuler , who founded the youth movement "Krembo Wings" for kids with disabilities, is joining his slate. Altschuler, an Israel Prize laureate, also founded the "Zikaron BaSalon" initiative, commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day in communities. Close Gadi Eisenkot and Adi Altschuler Credit: Yahav Trudler Gadi Eisenkot and Adi Altschuler Credit: Yahav Trudler Eisenkot said he intends to reserve the Education Ministry portfolio for her. "The next government will need to re-prioritize education at the top of the national agenda and provide teachers and principals with the tools to lead," Eisenkot noted. "Adi brings with her over two decades of experience and a proven ability to turn an educational vision into reality." Altschuler thanked Eisenkot, adding: "We are on the cusp of change, at a historic moment, and I have no right to stand on the sidelines. I am joining Gadi Eisenkot and his team because I believe in his leadership and his sincerity in serving the state." Haaretz Podcast | Behind the scenes at the Republican Jewish Coalition confab Hendel and Tropper's party is disbanding two months after they announced its establishment on July 7. At the party's announcement press conference, Tropper said that Netanyahu should step down and that he does not recognize that a coalition headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could form a Zionist government. However, when asked about the possibility of sitting with Netanyahu, he said: "That is a question not currently in question; if there is a broad Zionist unity government that includes both blocs, we will be part of it. There is not just one possible connection, there is only one goal – to form a broad Zionist government." Tropper entered politics in 2019 with Benny Gantz's Blue and White party and later served as culture and sports minister. After his party rejoined Netanyahu's coalition following the October 7 attack, he served as a minister without portfolio until resigning in June 2024. Two months ago, Tropper left the Blue and White party. Hendel served as communications minister in the unity government formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz between 2020 and 2021 after entering politics with Telem party leader Moshe Ya'alon.