Zionist Home – The Reservists
Israeli political alliance founded in 2026
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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 |
|
| Political position | Centre[2] to centre-right[3] |
| Members | |
| Website | |
| baitzioni-hamiluimnikim | |
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
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 |