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.
Zionist Home – The Reservists בית ציוני - המילואימניקים | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Hili Tropper Yoaz Hendel |
| Founder | |
| Founded | 7 July 2026 |
| Ideology | Zionism[1] Factions: Reservist interests |
| Political position | Centre[2] to centre-right[3] |
| Members | |
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. In early July 2026, the alliance crossed the electoral threshold in an opinion poll for the first time, with a projected four Knesset seats.
The alliance could be a kingmaker in the 2026 election.
Background
editHendel, 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.[1]The party consistently polled below the electoral threshold as an independent list.[4][2]
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.[4] In May 2026, Tropper and Hendel had each been in negotiations with Gantz, but the talks failed after Gantz refused to rule out partnering with Haredi parties.[2]
History
editPlatform
editThe alliance has been described as centrist and centre-right. Hendel stated the party wouldn't partner with Haredi and Arab parties.[2] Hendel stated he wouldn't give Netanyahu a small majority instead wanting a broad unity government with all Zionist parties.[6]
Military service
editThe 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
editThe alliance announced Hili Tropper leading the list with Hendel at the second spot. The rest of the spots are going to be picked by the two in alternating order.[1]
Prospects
editThe party is viewed as holding the balance of power, if it makes it into the Knesset.[7]
Electoral list
edit| # | 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] |
Other figures who have joined the alliance, whose places on the list have not yet been announced, include Shira Shapira, an architect and urban planner and mother of Aner Shapira, and Elyasaf Peretz, an educator, reservist and social activist.[8]
Opinion polls
editAn Israel Hayom poll published on 9 July 2026 projected the alliance crossing the electoral threshold for the first time, with four seats.[9]
Election results
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/− | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Karmel, Ariela (8 July 2026). "Yoaz Hendel's Reservists teams up with ex-minister Chili Tropper ahead of election". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 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 16 July 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.
- 1 2 "Chili Tropper, Reservists Party's Yoaz Hendel announce joint campaign for upcoming Knesset election". The Jerusalem Post. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Neev, Keshet (23 July 2026). "Hendel: Tropper alliance won't rule out Netanyahu, will prioritize Zionist principles - interview". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Yoaz Hendel: I will not hand Netanyahu a 61-seat majority". Israel National News. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 16 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.
- ↑ Baruch, Hezki (7 July 2026). "Tropper, Hendel announce joint run for Knesset". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "איזנקוט מתחזק, בנט בשפל - והאם הנדל-טרופר עוברים? סקר "היום"". Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). 9 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.